1 Twin Coast Cycle Trail – Ōpua to Kawakawa
7.6km | 1–1.5 hours | Easiest Grade
The trail at the top of the country should be on every gentle-trail rider’s wish list. The eastern end of the Far North’s coast-to-coast trail is a delight, and it now includes a scheduled train ride as part of the journey. It’s truly become a rail trail.
The trailhead is the port village of Ōpua in the Bay of Islands. Here the gravel path quickly leaves the moored yachts behind as it runs alongside the flat alignment of the former railway line. It’s great for bird watchers too. From your bike, you can peer between the mangrove branches on the edge of the inlet to spot a variety of wading birds.
Further along, the trail crosses small bridges to arrive at Ake Ake also known as Lone Cow. There is little here (not even a lone cow!), but it’s where the cycle trail temporarily ceases and bikers and bicycles board the train. The train ride chugs along the shoreline of the upper reaches of the inlet and crosses a long curved timber-lined bridge. This rail trip offers a brief respite for the legs before reaching the Taumarere railway station.
There is a choice at the station: continue on the train to Kawakawa, or hop on a short stretch of the cycle trail and race the train to town. From the village you can catch a shuttle or a return train to Ake Ake, or continue westward along the next section of the trail. The train and trail trust hopes
