Ormond, Waimatā Valley, Mander roads - Waimanu Forest - Riverside Rd Circuit

Te Eke Paihikara Huri noa i Ngā Rori o te Whārua o Waimatā

The full circuit - Back Ormond Road, Waimatā Valley Road, Mander Road, Waimanu Forest, Riverside Road, is a challenging half-day cycle ride. Back Ormond Rd, Waimata Valley Rd, and the town end of Riverside Rd are sealed, with Back Ormond Rd carrying a lot of traffic. The rest of the circuit is on unsealed roads, which carry little traffic.

Note that access through Waimanu Forest is restricted to Sundays because of forestry operations. An entry permit for cycling or walking on a Sunday should be requested from Aratu Forests Ltd. Link to Aratu Forests Ltd

An alternative to cycling the whole circuit is to cycle parts of it. A cycle along Riverside Rd, an interesting hilly ride, can link to the Matokitoki Valley trail, or to a walk in the tall native forest of Longbush QEII Covenant. This private reserve on the Waimatā River side of the road, nine kilometres along Riverside Rd from Gisborne, is open to the public. 

Another feature of this circuit is Gray's Hill Lookout, a climb of 140m from the flats if you are cycling in a clockwise direction. The lookout offers a spectacular view of Tūranganui a Kiwa and is an excellent place for star gazing on a clear night with no moon, being away from the lights of Gisborne city.