Araheke MTB Park

The name “migratory path” refers to the tuna (eels) that use the Kaitoke river flowing from Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa through the MTB park to the sea.  They are an important source of food for the local Maori.

The park has 9km of trail in two separate areas joined by a short section (300m) of road. The access turnoff is signposted on State Highway 3, 3km south of the Whanganui River motorway bridge, onto Kaitoke Rd.  It is another 3km to Lake Wiritoa Reserve carpark.  There are toilets and a swimming area. Accommodation is available (camping and cabins) at the adjoining Scoutlands Campsite. Please be aware that walkers and dogs also use the tracks.

Lake Wiritoa – Grade 2, 3

Wiritoa-MTB-Park The trails are in a small block of young pines with a seasonal river and farm and lake views.  The park entrance is across the road from the Lake Wiritoa Reserve entrance.  The tracks are generally easy intermediate riding.

For an easy ride follow the white road marker poles which follows River Run starting along the 4-wheel drive road and then Eeyore gulley back to the start, missing out the more difficult loops. This is also the start of an intermediate 3.5km trail which is numbered starting clockwise in the best sequence for a ride covering all of the developed tracks.

  1. River Run – easy road and single track follows slash and Kaitoke stream. 460m
  2. Eeyore Gulley – single undulating track with three optional harder loops. 520m
  3. Longfin Loop – intermediate loop off Eeyore Gulley. 280m
  4. Junction of the option of easy “short” or “long” hard intermediate loop.
  5. Junction of big downhill on Eeyore Gulley and Li’l Ripper. Easier option to avoid downhill marked earlier with white pole.  Back to park entrance around flat area.
  6. Li’l Ripper, intermediate loop (coloured pink) starts along the 4-wheel drive road again but turns right to do an anti-clockwise loop. It has a short and long (more difficult) version both ending along the riverside and back to the start.  450m
  7. Tuna Trail – single track going anti-clockwise along park’s three borders – intermediate, with two optional loops.
  8. Ridge Loop – hard intermediate (sharp left at top of hill) but great roller coaster fun and easier “short cut”. 425m
  9. Gorse Gully – starts just after bridge crossing – easy intermediate loop 280m
  10. Tuna Trail continues along fence line and river to exit on Kaitoke road – easy intermediate. 810m

Pauri Tracks – Grade 2, 3

Pauri-MTB-Park Finished the Wiritoa Tracks and ready for more?

From the car park at Lake Wiritoa continue riding along the road towards Scoutlands entrance (where further parking is available). Take the narrow gap on the right of the entrance and the fence and ride 210m along the fence line under the pines until you arrive at the Pauri Tracks. Scoutlands is private land and riders must stay on the track.

This park is narrow and long and abuts both Lakes Wiritoa and Pauri and the stream in between. It is newly planted in pine trees and has two areas of native plantings. There is approximately 5.3km of track which range from easy to hard intermediate, suitable for young kids and families. The tracks are numbered according to the best route, which crosses the length of the park twice in each direction. Trails are named and colour coded.

1. Alcatraz (yellow) – intermediate – ride along the fence line finishing in native bush on Lake Rd which is a public right of way and the stop sign must be observed. 600m

2. Katipo (red) – intermediate loop finishing back at Lake Rd. 690m Turn right and follow road for 70m.

3. Lakes View – hard intermediate loop with fabulous lake views and bush back to Lake Rd. 820m There is an easy short loop. Go back left along road for 70m.

4. Dragon Wiggles (blue) – easy

5. Dragon Ridge (blue) – hard intermediate. Moderate hills and great roller coaster back to entrance gate. 880m

6. Pauri (pink) – easy along flats and Pauri Rd then up onto side of ridge (easy intermediate) going back onto Pauri Rd 880m

7. Jungle Jinx (green) – easy intermediate, joining up with Pauri Rd (easy)

8. Jungle Juju (green) – easy intermediate, great lake views along low ridge, finishing ride back at start. 1120m

Five easy loops are separately identified with white road marker poles for kids and novices. Each consecutive loop is a longer ride, with the last two at the far end of the park. Pauri Rd (570m) goes from the entrance gate through to Lake Rd which comes off opposite the prison through a locked gate.

Loop 1: 250m Follow Pauri (pink) and turn left at white marker pole to complete short loop.

Loop 2: 550m Follow Pauri (pink) and follow white marker pole at Pauri Rd junction to loop back to start along end of Dragon.

Loop 3: 950m Follow Pauri (pink) to white marker pole along Pauri Rd and turn sharp left to follow Jungle Juju to start. Follow Pauri Rd all the way to Lake Rd (570m) for loops 4 & 5

Loop 4: Loop section 260m Turn right onto Dragon Wiggles and enjoy practicing those corners before exiting back onto Pauri Rd. (Total 1300m back at start)

Loop 5: Loop section 340m Turn left and ride 70m to Lakes View. Follow trail and turn left at white pole just before hill to complete bush loop back to Lake Rd. (Total 1480m back at start)

Click to download PDF Pauri MTB Park