Cycling

Te Arai and the surrounding region offer world class gravel and road cycling opportunities to push the pedals while enjoying our beautiful coastal environment and getting whatever level of workout you’re looking for from Tour De France level climbs to leisurely cafe rides. We also offer an iconic beach bike riding experience on out fat tyre bikes which you can read about on our website here.

Mountain bikes and helmets are available to guests at no charge and gravel, road and E-bikes are available by request at an additional charge. Routes are tailored to your requirements and fitness levels and we can provide guides to help you explore the best of our region by bicycle.

Gravel Cycling

From Te Arai Lodge there is one of the most scenic gravel rides you will find anywhere in the world through the Pakiri Scenic Reserve, a 14 kilometre long coastline of white sand full and the perfect setting for surfing, swimming, fishing, horse riding and gravel cycling. The route also encounters mountainous ranges alongside the coastline with routes from 50k to 100km+.

Starting from Te Arai Lodge you will ride the Te Arai ridge line on old farming tracks and back roads where you will encounter plenty of rolling Tuscan style country side before summiting the ridge line to stunning views of the coastline and Tomarata lakes with plenty of undulation and exhilarating downhills throughout. Then you will turn onto Pakiri Block Rd and encounter some the finest coastline gravel known to man. You can then loop back to Te Arai Lodge from the end of Pakiri Beach or take on the epic Pakiri to Leigh hill up Greenwood Rd which will have you sweating 10% gradients for 20 minutes or more.

The best part of the ride is you rarely see another car or person, however there are plenty of cows, horses, birds and bees to see and some great breweries and cafes on route to help you refuel the legs or celebrate a day well spent on the bike.

For a more leisurely ride you can ride the Te Arai Ridge line loop, a 20km loop that starts and finishes at Te Arai Lodge with an extra 5/10km loop that can be added on. Or you try one of the gravel roads to Te Arai Beach and if the tide is low come back along the beach to Pacific Rd (30km). For a good workout get onto Lawrence Rd from the Kaiwaka/Mangawhai Rd, over Prichard and Ryan Road, over to Mangawhai Road and then take School Road onto gravel at Busbridge Road. and follow your nose north back to Mangawhai (48km).

Road Cycling

Our favourite road ride is through the winding Whangarepo valley past olive orchards and rolling farm land up over the Tour De France level Matakana Hill and back. A solid 70km + loop with plenty of great views and one big hill that is sure to challenge even the most seasoned riders. There is also the choice of half a dozen or more loops most with low traffic volumes if you stay away from State Highway 1. The Garbolino Rd. loop is a favourite, 17km with just a couple of good climbs. If you are looking for something a bit more challenging try the Tomorata Valley loop with a good grunt up School Road (48km). If you like the coast head over to Waipu via Langs Beach, couple of good climbs each way but lots of flat riding (51km).