Top Trail – Rail Trail

12 years ago

My adventure began when Ray, from Top Trail Hire & Tours Ltd, collected me from my Paihia accommodation at 10am. This cycle trail is part of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail Northland.

Half an hour later we arrived at the starting point, some six kms south of Kaikohe. Ray checked my bike and gave me a helmet and map. Bike hire is included in the package price. I set off with water bottle, map and camera in my carrier bag. It was a gentle upward incline for most of the trail. A short time later, I arrived at Kaikohe. There is a Pioneer Village, Creative Glass (which stocks locally made glassware and gifts) and next door is Cafe Malaahi.

The next section to Okaihau is 14kms with the highlight being an eighty meter tunnel built in 1915. There are some lovely stands of native bush in this area and rural views.

After exiting the tunnel, the trail is mainly downhill with a few uphill portions to complete the journey to Okaihau.

Look out for the waterfall a few kilometres from the tunnel. There are some steps cut into the bank on the left hand side of the trail at Gate B16.

When I walked down to the waterfall is was a mere trickle – a reflection of the dry, hot summer that New Zealand has experienced this year.

Lake Omapere is to the right as you cycle along the trail.

At Okaihau there is a small car park with toilets and just a short distance up the road is The Village Cafe, a welcome sight after 20kms of cycling in fine, hot, sunny weather. There are a few shops here including a general grocery store.

After phoning Ray to say that I had completed the trail, I sat down to a well-earned cold drink and snack.

All up, I cycled 20 kms. The trail is all off road.

By 3pm I was back at Paihia and had time to reflect on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail Northland and where my next cycling adventure would be – Waikato River Trails?

Tips:

Bring camera, water bottle, snack bars, sunscreen and waterproof gear

There is no shelter or toilets enroute other than Kaikohe and Okaihau.

Allow 2-3 hours to complete cycle trail.

For information on Top Trail visit www.toptrail.co.nz or phone 0274 535 176