Hakataramea Pass provides a fast run through from Dog Kennel Corner on SH8 east of Tekapo to Kurow on SH83 or vice versa. The pass is often closed over winter as due to the altitude and the exposed area it can become snowbound, yet in summer temperatures can easily top 30 degrees. Like all of the South Island passes riders need to be prepared for potentially varied weather conditions.
The track condition is usually smooth gravel, though that can depend on how recently the road has been graded. There are several gates that should be left as found, usually closed. While this is a relatively easy ride it has been given an Intermediate rating due to the potential for weather changes, and there are a few tight corners that require reading of the road as they are not easy to see until you are almost into the corner.
Hakataramea Pass can also be used as a nice loop with Black Forest Station.
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Gravel Road
Track composition: Bumpy, Loose, Undulating
Slippery when wet? Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Intermediate
River crossings? Yes
Facebook group member Simon Job went through the Hakataramea recently and have to give it a bit of gas to avoid some errant sheep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEm9998Mpig
Lisa n i rode though here a few months back .. warning dont eat kurow pies lol
https://youtu.be/7x-_znB7EqA
Hi Guys
2 Pommes coming to ride your trails in a few weeks, planning this one on March 1st – do we need to call Ben Innes for a 4 digit combo lock code as per Mike Hydes book TT?
It would be great to have some company if anyone is up for a steady ride with 2 old duffers?
Thats for Black Forest Station, The Haka Pass is open access.
Hi Eddie
Thx for the heads up, so many tracks in 15 days. Black Forest looks good
TC John
Road the Haka on Friday last week (on the TT2000). Some rougher bits and the odd bit of nastier deep gravel.
Also took a wee diversion down towards Black Forest – that road was superb. Really smooth and fast!
The Hakataramea Valley is part of the South Canterbury high country, with broad mountain landscapes.The road condition is smooth gravel. It’s an easy ride, but there are some tight corners which are not easy to see until almost riding into the corner. The pass is about 74 km. It takes approximately 2 hours of peaceful riding.
Please check the video from my recent ride
https://youtu.be/do_y4QzOKHU