Motu Trails

East Coast Magic

As of late 2011 some of the trail network was already open for riding and other sections were close to opening.

You can get most of the info from the dedicated website for these trails: www.themotutrails.co.nz

The Motu comes from the Motu River, a major waterway in the eastern portion of New Zealand's North Island and the trails run mainly close to this river, often using Motu Road.  The river starts at the Raukumara Range south of Opotiki and empties into the Bay of Plenty.

The maori name Motu means cut off, isolated which is a refrence to the district around the headwaters, which since ancient times has been considered to be in the middle of nowhere because of the thickness of the forests which surrounded it.  Good for outdorr adventuring!  Fortunately a mid-20th century proposal to dam the river for hydroelectricity was rejected.

The www.cyclewaynewzealand.co.nz crew are looking forward to checking out the trails and will report back when we do - we haven't riden there since a great heli-ride event back in the 90's.  The meal at the supporting cafe in Opotiki was memorable with silver service and a feast to satisfy some hungry riders.