SH 43 - The Forgotten Highway?

[strumpet]

Hi there North Islanders - I am heading Norf via the legendary Forgotten Highway in the next week or so - have all of Feb off work!! Can anyone give me a recent update on SH 43 and any spots to be wary on. Tx in advance.

[cs363]

Hi there North Islanders - I am heading Norf via the legendary Forgotten Highway in the next week or so - have all of Feb off work!! Can anyone give me a recent update on SH 43 and any spots to be wary on. Tx in advance.

Went through there weekend just gone (Stratford to Taumarunui direction), it was in as good a condition as can be expected - a little tar bleed if it's hot, the odd bit of loose metal and the gravel section was mostly hard packed with just a few repair spots with some deeper gravel. As always just keep your wits about you, watch for farmers/tourists/Rossi wannabes on the wrong side of the road. Enjoy :)


P.S. If you're thinking of also tackling the Taihape-Napier road be very wary on the first half or so on the Taihape side, lots of resealed road with unswept loose gravel that's not always easy to see.

[pritch]

Haven't been there this season so far but normally visit frequently.

Some hints:

The signs saying 25KPH are not joking.

Stay on your own side of the road, not always easy, but it is important.

Gas up at Stratford, there's no more until Taumarunui.

It's called "The Forgotten World Highway".

Enjoy.

[jellywrestler]

Hi there North Islanders - I am heading Norf via the legendary Forgotten Highway in the next week or so - have all of Feb off work!! Can anyone give me a recent update on SH 43 and any spots to be wary on. Tx in advance.

there's nought to be wary of if you treat the whole road like there's either a car or stock just around the corner...

[Hitcher]

The Whangamomona pub is a compulsory stop. It does a great lunch and brews its own beer.

The unsealed stretch through the Tangarakau Gorge is usually easy traversed on a bike with low profile rear road tyres, as long as speeds are kept reasonable. The Hobbits Hole is one way. Check that no trucks are on their way through before entering.

[Mo NZ]

All good advice above.
There is/was some logging being done. I saw 3 trucks with the trailers swinging sideways on the gravel on the corners.
That's North of the pub.

After that the ride from Mananui, just south of Taumarunui over the hills to Turangi is worth a look.

[tippersv]

watch out for wet spots in the tunnel.............ouch:mad:

[nadroj]

Haven't been there this season so far but normally visit frequently.

Some hints:

The signs saying 15KPH are not joking.



Enjoy.

Fixed it for you!

It seemed to be more tar bleed from Pohukura saddle to Whanga on sunday.

Don't forget to take off your sunnies or flip your tinted visor before the tunnel.