North Island - north to south - all off-road?

[colsan1]

Is it possible to ride from Hamilton to wellington without using tarmac ?
I'd like to try using either offroad tracks or gravel roads, has anyone done this?

[FJRider]

Is it possible to ride from Hamilton to wellington without using tarmac ?
I'd like to try using either offroad tracks or gravel roads, has anyone done this?

Where's Hamilton ????

[DR650gary]

There is a back road from Ohakune down to just south of Hunterville. Not gravel or dirt but a bit twisty with some road works which are gravel.

Trying to use some of the quieter roads myself when time is not an issue.

Cheers

[colsan1]

I would like mostly gravel or dirt if i had to travel on roads.
i realise this might make the journey a lot longer but if it meant
chris crossing a bit to stay off tarmac that'd be ok

[rwh]

Is it possible to ride from Hamilton to wellington without using tarmac ?

You could probably do it by jetski ... if you could carry enough fuel

Richard

[colsan1]

You could probably do it by jetski ... if you could carry enough fuel

Richard

Now theres a challenge for someone

[clint640]

You could string together a fair bit of gravel as far as Bulls, but there'd still be lots of tar to link it up. After Bulls there's not many interesting options.

Cheers
Clint

[colsan1]

After Bulls there's not many interesting options.

Cheers
Clint

If ever there was a town worth missing, Bulls is it.

[DR650gary]

If ever there was a town worth missing, Bulls is it.

Hell no, the Doner Kebab place is worth visiting just for that.

Always stop there now with the new owners running it.

Maybe someone who knows could post the routes as it may be one for a long weekend journey, although giving Hamilton a miss is a good idea

[Box'a'bits]

You could string together a fair bit of gravel as far as Bulls, but there'd still be lots of tar to link it up. After Bulls there's not many interesting options. Cheers
Clint

No, flick off the Turakina Valley Rd to link Hunterville / Ashhurst, and across the Saddle Rd or Pahiatua Track (missing Hamilton's twin city, Palmerston North), do North Range Rd along the top, & a world of possibilities opens going down the Wairarapa. Loads of backroads.

Or you could come down the East Coast, replicate portions of the MMMMM, ride across the Gentle Annie, hug the hills nr Taihape to Ashhurst, then across into Wairarapa again.

[That looks like fun]

You could do almost 70% Gravel but you would need a double jointed snake as a map and a bit of spare time.
Think Raglan - Pio Pio - Ohura - Tamaranui - Turikina Valley Rd - Hunterville - Kimbolten - North Range Rd - Ring Joe then over the Takas to Wellington
Pack ya lunch

[That looks like fun]

Oh yeh, forgot to mention everyone has done it (but just tell yourself that your first and we will all smile and nod politely )

[colsan1]

Hey! i've only been here a couple of years so its a big adventure for me.
The longest stretch of gravel i rode in the uk was my drive way.
When i've done it you will all say nice things about the pics i post and tell me i'm amazing.

[junkmanjoe]

the genital Annie is not gravel any more, been sealed....the bastards....

all the gravel in the wairarapa starts and ends on a sealed road,

but you could link a fair bit up to cover some great ground..

there is also the great track the runs through the windmill farm, thats worth a ride, just north of woodville

JMJ

[wysper]

although giving Hamilton a miss is a good idea

awww come on now, there are some good bastards in Hammyhole.