Makairo Track was once a road in regular use but has not been used by vehicle traffic for several decades.
It is a 4×4 track but it is now only really used by mountain bikers and walkers. At times tree growth at the eastern end can be so low over the track that even crouched right down on the tank branches hit your helmet, or you have to stop and part the trees with your arms to get through.
Parts of the track have water flowing down them which can make it very slippery and create some interesting ruts to navigate. Occasionally local Mountain bike clubs clear portions of the track for their use, otherwise is no longer regularly maintained.
At the Eastern end of Makairo Track you can loop up with Towai Road or Coonoor Road.
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Dirt Track / Gravel Road
Track composition: Bumpy, Loose, Flat
Slippery when wet? Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Experienced
River crossings? No
Update, thanks to Paul McQ we know these bars have now been removed. (Thanks to Rowan for this pic of the bridge and how was blocked)
Thi track has been recently cleared all the way over and is good for riding.Still a track best done on smaller bikes.
Not sure if things have changed since Taranaki Anniversary weekend 2012, Phil, Mo and myself rode through the Makiro from East to West. The bridge at the Western end had steel beams welded across both ends. We were all on small bikes and we were able to slide the bikes under one end and lift them over the other. The bridge abutments have collapsed and the bridge is slowly falling into the gully, thus the reason for its closure.
Added a picture of the bridge and steel beams thanks to Rowan.
Is it still worth going if you cant pass the bridge on a quad bike?
You can’t pass the bridge on anything. It was a fun track, usually very overgrown so the tree branches hang down to your tank.
If you are really good, you could probably get access from the other side. I’ve done that before (it was a workout on a bigger bike). But it would be an in & out ride (i.e., you can’t get past the blocked bridge). Also with limited / no traffic, I’d think the track will revert to bush fairly quickly. BTW that bridge spans a gully – there is no alternative.
Went through earlier this year, someone, probably hunters on quads, had removed the steel bars. If you’re planning on going through I’d go from west to east as the bridge is on the western side, unless you don’t mind risking return trip the way you came. Fold your mirrors in for the low branches, fairly easy on a mid size bike, DR650 etc. I’ll put in an update here when I’ve been back over there unless someone beats me to it.
Went through today, bars at the bridge are long gone so no issues there. Been a slip between the road end on the western side and the bridge 1km in. probably not suitable for large bikes, if you can get through the first 1km to the bridge then you’ll make it through the rest ok. Quads still going through too.
Went through with my ole pal @bart this past Sunday. Had a blast although there is a little bush bashing to be had along with a lot of FUN…
The notorious rut is still there on the on the downhill side after the summit…beware.. But, altogether we had a great day and a great ride!
So @Box.a.Bits, tell us a story?
Follow the link….
Fair to say, that while the track is fairly low speed, you need to travel with others – some of those drop offs go a long way down. And it’s a long walk out.
yep it was a good day all round bloody hot though.A good workout for the Xcx and hey we all made it out to the end yay
did this ride weekend before easter 2021 from east to west east side up more difficult than west down old bridge is still there but no barriers we stayed at the farmstay cottage at the bottom end of puketoi rd . great value and allows riding on station tracks
Nice one. Must have a bash at this on the 250. Best get a new rear first…
Went through yesterday west to east .Track a bit boggy and rutted at the start but after that not bad.It looks like someone has been through recently and trimmed back a lot of the thicker overhanging branches
I know a group that went through in the weekend, some on big bikes. It didn’t end too well for one rider who had to be flown out.
The one and the same ride. The big bikes did fairly well with a few little issues and one larger one.
Track video showing track condition as @ 8 May 2021
https://youtu.be/9lDQA7ul3SE
https://youtu.be/AkDRlpDmcFI
I was up there on Sunday the 23/01/22 and I can confirm it’s open and overgrown stuff has been slashed back. What a great ride!!!! Combined with a loop from Paihiatua Track Bluff Road Towai Road and back to Waihi Falls and Dannevirke then up to Coppermine road and back over the saddle what a cool solo day. 🙂