Grade
HillyDistance
100kmCycling
1 – 3 days
Rere Falls Trail is an impressive ride through heartland Aotearoa New Zealand. Picture out-of-the-way sealed and gravel roads that meander through rolling high-country farmland and native forest, taking you to the amazing Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Rere Falls, Rere Rockslide, vineyards, and if you link up with Coastal Waipaoa River Trail, you can cycle right the way through into Gisborne.
This trail is a richly rewarding cycle link from Gisborne through to the Motu Trails in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, or the other way around. https://www.motutrails.co.nz/experience/explore-the-trails/rere-falls-trail
A favourite club ride with Gisborne Cycling Club is from town or Brunton Road to Ngatapa or Eastwoodhill Arboretum and return, along Wharekopae Road, following part of the Rere Falls Trail. Gisborne Cycling Club facebook page
History of the trail
Most of the roads on the Rere Falls Trail date back to about 1910-1930, before the current SH2 Matawai Road route existed. These roads provided access to farming settlements.
Tips & Logistics
The Rere Falls Trail is hilly, rising to about 600m elevation. It is a mostly on-road trail with about 30km of gravel road and 9km of gravel trail (if you follow the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail). Cycling from Matawai, the trail will give you more downhill riding, although there is 1300m of total climbing even in this direction.
If you start the Rere Falls Trail in Matawai there is 7km of cycling on State Highway 2 between Matawai and Te Wera Road. The road can be busy in this section, so ride in single file. Te Wera Road has 7km of seal, then the road becomes gravel for the next 27km and features some solid climbs.
As you approach Gisborne, there are two options for the last 10km of cycling. From the SH2 Matawhero Waipaoa River bridge, the recommended route is along the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail and Centennial Marine Drive - you will cycle into Gisborne along the river and coastline of Tūranganui a Kiwa. The alternative approach to Gisborne city is along quiet back roads – Bloomfield Road, Farmer Road, Pilmer Road, Tucker Road, Nelson Road and Stout Street, an attractive cycle through farmland, lifestyle blocks, and suburbs. Look for the Ngā Haerenga/NZ Cycle Trails signs.
By linking Rere Falls Trail with the Motu Road Trail, you can create a stunning 180km 'Coast to Coast' ride from Gisborne to Ōpōtiki. Link to Rere Falls Trail