Waikanae to Upper Hutt?

[Diggers]

I'm riding to Upper Hutt tomorrow (from Auckland). Coming down thru Levin. What's the best road to take to get to Upper Hutt from that coast?
I'm only looking at the map here. Is the road thru Reikorangi the best way? Or Paekakariki Rd (Is that the "Paekakariki Hill Rd" I've heard about)? Or into Plimmerton then turn left?

I'm after the quickest, most scenic, best bike riding road? (Or any combination!)

I would appreciate opinions from those in the know.
Cheers

[mashman]

The road across from Waikanae to the Hutt put the shits up me in a car, so there's no way i'm doing it on the bike... single track, tight tight tight low speed corners, not exactly made for the lump that I ride. The Paekakariki Hill Rd is a shitload of fun (as long as it hasn't been raining in the previous couple of days). Other than that just go SH58 across the bottom of Whitby, over Haywards and on to SH2 (watch out for the plod)... Then there's old faithful SH1 - SH2, not exactly fun, but if the weather sucks it's the quicket route by far...

[Nasty]

Akatawara Hill road from Waikanae takes you through directly to upper Hutt .. bit of a goat track .. but a nice challenge.

[Diggers]

Akatarawa Hill, is that sealed?

[BMWST?]

plus three akatarawa road is very very narrow its virtually a one lane road from about 10k in from each end...
Paekak is good but has some deceptive corners and again is narrow in places with no room for error,then Sh58 to Sh2
Paekak would be my pic,just take it cruisy.Grays road(from plimmerton) is a nice little sceinic ride,then SH58 to SH2,turn left too Upper Hutt.

[Murray]

Personally I would go through palmie, thru the Manawatu gorge down through the Wairarapa and over the rimutaka's - great ride!!!

[rachprice]

ahhh levin....thriving metropolis that it is

[BMWST?]

Personally I would go through palmie, thru the Manawatu gorge down through the Wairarapa and over the rimutaka's - great ride!!!

good choice,maybe substitute pahiatua track for teh Manawatu gorge....

[Hitcher]

bit of a goat track

"Bit of a goat track"? There's bits in there where the goats fell off. The chamois track of carnage would be a better description. Mind you the sudden burst of adrenalin one gets when one encounters a Boi Racer(TM) in full drift mode on one's side of the road (bearing in mind that the CTOC is one-lane most of the way) can be invigorating.

Hitcher's advice: Stay on the main road south and take the Paekak Hill Road (The Goat Track Of Death(TM)) if you feel a need for excitement.

[Diggers]

I'm planning to go home via Rimutakas and up to Napier. Thanks for the advice. Appears "The Hill" is the best route. I've certainly heard about it, obviously time to have a go! Cheers.

[MSTRS]

You coming down 1?
....take the Vinegar Hill turnoff to the left, before Hunterville. Through Feilding to Bunnythorpe, Ashhurst. Then either - over the Saddle Rd (see the windfarm up close), or the Gorge, or the Pahiatua Track. Thence down 2, through the 'rapa, over the 'takas...and you're there.

[davereid]

"Bit of a goat track"? There's bits in there where the goats fell off. The chamois track of carnage would be a better description. Mind you the sudden burst of adrenalin one gets when one encounters a Boi Racer(TM) in full drift mode on one's side of the road (bearing in mind that the CTOC is one-lane most of the way) can be invigorating.

Hitcher's advice: Stay on the main road south and take the Paekak Hill Road (The Goat Track Of Death(TM)) if you feel a need for excitement.

Boy racers be buggared.

There nothing like an FN great 4WD with massive roo bars and a winch made with 50m of cheese cutter, blasting around the corner to change your attitude !

Ats least thats my lasting memory of every second corner in the Akas.

I'd avoid it like the plague in anything smaller than a D9

[Wannabiker]

Turn left at Taupo...Napier Taupo road is way cool...Highway 50 from Hastings to Norsewood...left at Woodville, thru Wairarapa and then finish with Rimutakas....But then you get to miss out on my fav bit of road...around the edge of lake and dessert road!!

Akatarawa road is OK...have done it many times, but I suspect your larger bike would be not so much fun.

Paekakariki hill road is the way to go if you coming down the coast...If you get to fishermans table restaurant, ...you have gone too far and misssed the turn-off!!!

[carbonhed]

Was roaring down the Akas on my push bike once only to meet up with the mothership of all fucking campervans... had to turn sideways on the bike to let the drivers side mirror flash past my face... :Punk: happy days. :done: Wish I'd got it on video.

Paekark or the Pahiatua track for me.

[Str8 Jacket]

You coming down 1?
....take the Vinegar Hill turnoff to the left, before Hunterville. Through Feilding to Bunnythorpe, Ashhurst. Then either - over the Saddle Rd (see the windfarm up close), or the Gorge, or the Pahiatua Track. Thence down 2, through the 'rapa, over the 'takas...and you're there.

I second this suggestion. Fun fun fun roads! :yes:

[Madness]

The Pahiatua Track is over-rated IMHO. Palmy locals love it, but they're surrounded by squillions of miles of flat, straight roads.

Head down to Paekakariki, when you see the old steam trains, prepare to veer off to the left for the Piecock Hill. As has been stated, only use the Akatarawa Hill in emergencies, or if you feel suicidal.

Save your energy for a half day (at least) of doing The Hill (Rimutaka's). Best bit of twisties in the Norf Island.

[pete376403]

Paekakariki hill is fun but has stupid speed limits, possibly due to boi racers upsetting residents (70 in places, 80 in others) and the cops do patrol fairly regularly. It's also a school bus route. Keep these things in mind and you'll be good

[Deano]

Paekakariki hill is fun but has stupid speed limits, possibly due to boi racers upsetting residents

That and the stupid number of bike crashes....

If you want to try the Aka's, take Sketchy Racer with you, cause he will clear the road well ahead of you. I speak from experience.

[Diggers]

Thanks for all your replies! Local knowledge is always good to have. I've ridden Vinegar Hill before and it sure is a great road.

[chanceyy]

if your doing piekak hill beware of the tar snakes & moisture .. makes the ride much more interesting :clap:

echo v hill .. lovely bit of road that one :yes: