An alternate route to Turakina Valley Road and a more interesting route than SH1 (albeit slower). Watershed and Tiriraukawa Roads run from just North of Vinegar Hill, through to just north west of Taihape or vice versa.
To access the route heading North turn left at Kiekie Rd and Watershed Rd is the first right after that. Watershed Rd is all good gravel albeit some portions are tight riding thru the steep back country. In one section there are great views across the Rangitikei River valley & surrounding farmlands.
Tiriraukawa Rd continues from Watershed Rd, but is sealed, & continues the twisting theme. At the end of Tiriraukawa Rd you have the choice of continuing onto Rongoiti Rd & Mataroa Rd to link back to SH1 (if you need to get back to Taihape), or turning left onto Koeke Rd & then Okaka Rd to link onto Turakina Valley Road.
Contributed by: @stephen-clark
Track type: Gravel Road
Track composition: Smooth, Firm, Undulating
Slippery when wet?: No
Suitable for bikes > 650cc Beginner
Suitable for bikes < 650cc Beginner
River crossings? No
These roads are getting thrashed with logging trucks at the moment.