Fishers Track

 “Fishers Track MTB trail includes a 520m descent through farmland and rural gravel roads.” — Peter Blakeman

Overview 

Fishers Track mountain bike trail includes a 520m descent through farmland and rural gravel roads. Be ready for a steady climb to the summit and then a long 17km downhill stretch. The track runs through a beautiful remote valley, but it is mostly gravel roads.

Need to Know 

The end of the trail at the monument is in a remote area, and you'll need to arrange return transport. 

Description 

Start from National Park Village at the end of Carroll Street over the railway crossing. Be ready for a steady climb to the summit followed by 17 kms of downhill along a grassy farm track and rural gravel roads with a gradual climb up to the finish point at the Kaitieke First World War Monument.
Fishers Track links up with the Bridge to Nowhere track in the Mangapurua Valley by taking a left at the Monument and riding 26km to Whakahoro where Oio Rd meets the Whanganui River.

History & Background 

The end of the trail is at the Kaitieke First World War Memorial, devoted to the men of the area that fought and died in The Great War.

Learn more about this trail on the MTB Project website

 

 

TCB's Notes:

For intermediate riders: 21km, 2-3 hours one way. Return to Raurimu is 50km 3-5 hours.

Starting in at the North-Western corner of National Park Village and finishing at Kurua Rd (off Upper Retaruke Road)

Useful map: Topo map Raurimu S19

Cross the railway line in National Park and follow the "Fisher's Track" Signpost. The gravel road turns into a 4WD track - follow this into the forest.

The first 10km of this ride is 90% downhill. Turn right at the "Public Road" sign and when the track meets a gravel road, turn right at the intersection next to a farmhouse.

Head down the valley for 12kms to an old war memorial and prepare yourself for a decent uphill if you want to continue to ride the return trip to National Park! To ride the return, follow the signs to Raurimu and then turn right on to SH4 to return to National Park.

Nothing like the legendary status of the 42 Traverse but this relatively unknown downhill is a real blast and with the best part of 17kms downhill dropping from 900 metres to 400 metres the adrenalin rush is in your hands. The surface is mixed but does have a fair proportion of grass, which makes for some interesting cornering. The track is not much fun when it is wet!