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A forest track near Warkworth. The gate from the East end is awkward to get bigger bikes around. The center portion of the track is made up of sand and mud and in the wet would likely be very soft and slippery.
No, i did not. No sign etc. But i could see, i wasn´t the first rider on these day. Some marks of dirt tires behind the gate and all way down the track.
I’ve been trying to get into Riverbed forest, but all entrances have a gate, and I never felt that I could come in, so, in essence if there is no sign one should be ok?
I’ve been trying to get into Riverbed forest, but all entrances have a gate, and I never felt that I could come in, so, in essence if there is no sign one should be ok?
I assume you mean Riverhead Forest? What what I’ve heard that’s private land and pretty actively patrolled so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Whether you can safely access somewhere often depends on the particular situation. Most roads through forests in NZ are actually private and hence you’d be trespassing, outside of forests the road is more likely to be a paper road and hence legally accessible, but these are generalisations.
You are spot on… it is Riverhead forest… damm autocorrect…
It would be nice to have a proper place to check if a road is private or not… I’ve been looking at the LINZ site but cannot find proper information…
For maps of legal roads, or paper roads see the Government Walking Access Commission website and the Mapping system here, your tax dollars at work- http://wams.org.nz/wams_desktop/index.aspx
It’s great, has every road that the public should have access to, with a bit of common sense taken into consideration. All public roads show as purple lines. It’s a bit slow to load sometimes but a great tool.
I know the NGARNZ group occasionally goes into Riverhead, but they get permission, keys to the gate etc. Otherwise it’s horses/cyclists/walkers. My understanding at least…
Hi Paul,
Wams is a very cool site, definitely one to add to the collection.
I’m currently working on generating kml files for all the gravel/metaled/unmetaled roads in NZ.
Will post soon, and will be keen to get some help from people to check confirm the data, as I’m extracting from OSM.
This is being done from work done by Adam Franco with his curvature.py script. (generates twisty road maps.)
Anyone around Auckland keen to go on exploration rides?
@Joao said:
I’m currently working on generating kml files for all the gravel/metaled/unmetaled roads in NZ.
Will post soon, and will be keen to get some help from people to check confirm the data, as I’m extracting from OSM.
This is being done from work done by Adam Franco with his curvature.py script. (generates twisty road maps.)
Anyone around Auckland keen to go on exploration rides?
Cheers
I missed this previously, that sounds like a cool project, worthy of it’s own thread or possibly even it’s own page.
I rode this today, and really feel the description etc needs updating. The entry gate from the East far from easy for a bigger bike (whale of a Tiger in my case) to get past.
As someone who is a beginner off-road, the track is not something I would class as a beginner track and even less so if you were to come from the Western end. The track in a large chunk in the middle is made up of sand/mud and in the wet must be a nightmare, again even more so for a beginner.
Thanks, I’ve updated the difficulty levels accordingly.
@robbo67 said:
I rode this today, and really feel the description etc needs updating. The entry gate from the East far from easy for a bigger bike (whale of a Tiger in my case) to get past.
As someone who is a beginner off-road, the track is not something I would class as a beginner track and even less so if you were to come from the Western end. The track in a large chunk in the middle is made up of sand/mud and in the wet must be a nightmare, again even more so for a beginner.
I went for my first ride through here yesterday on my Triumph Tiger XCx. Definately agree with previous post that going East to West would be easier than the other way around due to the sandy and steep track (and probably muddy in Winter). The track had been recently graded in parts and a really steep part I had the back wheel locked and pretty much just slid down! Gate no problem to get around though, off to the right of the entrance gate on the Eastern side you can ride around the back of a tree and essentially cut the gate out.
The gate at the western end was unlocked and open and at the halfway point a jeep was parked with some equipment being used to grade the track and other tracks in the area. Perhaps getting ready for replanting pine or something? Big clearing mowed out at a high point on the track also…
First post here too…Am looking forward to keeping my eyes out for rides around North Auckland with the good folk here 🙂
I rode from east to west (downhill) on 4 Feb and west to east (uphill) on 6 Feb. I was riding a drz250 with knobbly tyres. Hard to imagine anyone more inexperienced than me, these were my first real off road rides, after riding plenty of gravel roads (quite slowly it turns out, compared to the pros!). I thought it was pretty doable in both directions (=I didn’t fall off) but to me going up is easier than going down! I would agree that in the wet that muddy middle bit would be much more of a challenge. Great views from the top.
I was told that the bit they are clearing is going to be turned back to native bush. I’m assuming that this is because this route will become part of the north south walkway and presumably link up with a track (Barker Road) a bit further down Moir Hill Road.
Perhaps best to enjoy it now before it gets too gentrified?
With reference to the attached image, has anyone ever ventured down into the valley (purple) using the side tracks (Green) that branch off east-ish off Moirs Hill Road (Blue)?
The side tracks are fairly steep but ride able, and there looks to be some great little trails in that valley.
I was just wondering if anyone had any more info on it, or maybe even a GPS route.
A nice challenging stretch of “off” road, very steep in some sections. More like a hillclimb 🙂 They (2 of them) catch you a bit off guard as they begin shortly after a bend. Definitely not one to venture in the wet. The climb was fun though – had a good day for it. If you keep your speed up and weight over the handlebars – you’ll be good. The gate is tricky to pass – managed to get my large F800GS through – I don’t think this would be suitable for a 1200 though. The gate at the other end is quite technical too, you can’t squeeze through it and have a tiny detour around it. You basically have to accelerate up a bank and brake just in time before hitting a barbed wire fence. On the ride – you pass by some roadside beehives – so if you have allergies – not worth the risk. Views are nice from the top though – see photos.
I rode it on Saturday morning. First part was relatively easy. There are some sections that are marbled. (lose stones) as can be seen below. Before I knew it a locked gate was blocking my path to further fun filled adventure. Decided to climb the embankment and on we went. The road becomes a little more rutted with lots of lose gravel. But was not too taxing. Eventually came to a fork in the road and I went right, which ended being wrong for various reasons. It was clay and very slippery. I took the incorrect line, my front wheel simply slid out. It was the first time I dropped my Bike. Fortunately I had come to virtually a complete standstill before I gently lay her down, with my legs spread eagle with my bike facing the direction I had come from (complete 180). I had a chuckle to myself, thankful that I was not injured and anxious to see the damage to my bike. Apart from my bar end that was only slightly scratched, my bike was unscathed. Thank the pope. Picked it up and on I went. It was a steep gradient on the decent and I simply couldnt keep my bike from skidding from the centre into the ruts, it was just to slippery. (Needed far more aggressive tread for this track). So I estimate, at approx half way down, we decided to turn around and made our way back. It was much easier going up. We reached the fork and tried the left side of the road but not far along the track a second locked Gate prevented any further passage. It was not passable on either side. It was a beautiful morning and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Here a few extra pics for those riders that have not managed to do this ride. I have very little offroad experience and I managed….to drop my bike…..but that aside it was an awesome experience.
Someone has recently dropped the tree by the gate at the eastern end. Can still get through but it is a bit precarious to do that with a hole on one side and a bank on the other. Unfortunate as it is an ULR, so the public should have unimpeded access.
Went to access this over the weekend from the eastern side and the trail that used to go around the gate has now been dug out and a tree has been felled to block the path. It would still be possible to get around on one side but it would be a bit tricky. I didn’t attempt to pass it as it seems someone is trying to prevent access. I was under the impression this was a public road though? Anyone know anything about this?
It had been a while since I rode Moir Hill (probably about a year), so I gave it a go this past weekend. I entered at the northern gate (Matthew Rd), no worries there, same as usual. Rode through to the southern end (Moir Hill Rd).
I did try walk a path around the fallen tree, as I recall one used to be able to get around it, even after it was taken down, they just needed to give it a wider berth, but there the surrounding vegetation is too thick.
I then opted for the opposite side of the road and managed to get the bike through the pedestrian gap. This can be tricky and there is a risk of dropping the bike down into a hole/ditch.
Overall I observed at how the gorse has been taking over that hillside. There were numerous fun trials and hill-climbs that branched off the main track into the eastern valley. Most of those looked completely overgrown and as I remember some slips/holes in those trails that one could barely see when the bush was reasonable. Now it could be far more treacherous!
Rode this track on the V-Strom 800DE, and was very happy for the dry conditions considering I’m still running the stock tyres. I remember it being treacherous even on the dr650 with the stock deathwings. Back up and down was a fun side excursion off the local gravel roads I was mostly hammering
Just to clarify, Moir Hill is open at both ends. Wasn’t the last time I went in. Rode in from Mathews road today and out the top. Nice alternate to other north south options.
Rode in from east end 08-09-2022. Northern end blocked completely with large concrete blocks and drainage ditch.
Hi,
I thought one could not enter the roads if there is a gate? Did you had to ask for permission?
Cheers
No, i did not. No sign etc. But i could see, i wasn´t the first rider on these day. Some marks of dirt tires behind the gate and all way down the track.
humm interesting,
I’ve been trying to get into Riverbed forest, but all entrances have a gate, and I never felt that I could come in, so, in essence if there is no sign one should be ok?
I assume you mean Riverhead Forest? What what I’ve heard that’s private land and pretty actively patrolled so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Whether you can safely access somewhere often depends on the particular situation. Most roads through forests in NZ are actually private and hence you’d be trespassing, outside of forests the road is more likely to be a paper road and hence legally accessible, but these are generalisations.
You are spot on… it is Riverhead forest… damm autocorrect…
It would be nice to have a proper place to check if a road is private or not… I’ve been looking at the LINZ site but cannot find proper information…
Cheers
For maps of legal roads, or paper roads see the Government Walking Access Commission website and the Mapping system here, your tax dollars at work-
http://wams.org.nz/wams_desktop/index.aspx
It’s great, has every road that the public should have access to, with a bit of common sense taken into consideration. All public roads show as purple lines. It’s a bit slow to load sometimes but a great tool.
I know the NGARNZ group occasionally goes into Riverhead, but they get permission, keys to the gate etc. Otherwise it’s horses/cyclists/walkers. My understanding at least…
Hi Paul,
Wams is a very cool site, definitely one to add to the collection.
I’m currently working on generating kml files for all the gravel/metaled/unmetaled roads in NZ.
Will post soon, and will be keen to get some help from people to check confirm the data, as I’m extracting from OSM.
This is being done from work done by Adam Franco with his curvature.py script. (generates twisty road maps.)
Anyone around Auckland keen to go on exploration rides?
Cheers
Yes definitely keen to help you out, just let me know what I can do to assist. Live on the North Shore.
I missed this previously, that sounds like a cool project, worthy of it’s own thread or possibly even it’s own page.
Happy to start posting.
Already have some files, (huge)
Do you want to start the thread?
Cheers
Yep keen!
Here’s the every gravel road in NZ thread
https://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/forums/topic/map-of-every-unsealed-road-in-new-zealand/
I rode this today, and really feel the description etc needs updating. The entry gate from the East far from easy for a bigger bike (whale of a Tiger in my case) to get past.
As someone who is a beginner off-road, the track is not something I would class as a beginner track and even less so if you were to come from the Western end. The track in a large chunk in the middle is made up of sand/mud and in the wet must be a nightmare, again even more so for a beginner.
Thanks, I’ve updated the difficulty levels accordingly.
I went for my first ride through here yesterday on my Triumph Tiger XCx. Definately agree with previous post that going East to West would be easier than the other way around due to the sandy and steep track (and probably muddy in Winter). The track had been recently graded in parts and a really steep part I had the back wheel locked and pretty much just slid down! Gate no problem to get around though, off to the right of the entrance gate on the Eastern side you can ride around the back of a tree and essentially cut the gate out.
The gate at the western end was unlocked and open and at the halfway point a jeep was parked with some equipment being used to grade the track and other tracks in the area. Perhaps getting ready for replanting pine or something? Big clearing mowed out at a high point on the track also…
First post here too…Am looking forward to keeping my eyes out for rides around North Auckland with the good folk here 🙂
I rode from east to west (downhill) on 4 Feb and west to east (uphill) on 6 Feb. I was riding a drz250 with knobbly tyres. Hard to imagine anyone more inexperienced than me, these were my first real off road rides, after riding plenty of gravel roads (quite slowly it turns out, compared to the pros!). I thought it was pretty doable in both directions (=I didn’t fall off) but to me going up is easier than going down! I would agree that in the wet that muddy middle bit would be much more of a challenge. Great views from the top.
I was told that the bit they are clearing is going to be turned back to native bush. I’m assuming that this is because this route will become part of the north south walkway and presumably link up with a track (Barker Road) a bit further down Moir Hill Road.
Perhaps best to enjoy it now before it gets too gentrified?
Here’s a few pics taken last Saturday when we were riding from Moir Hill west to Woodcocks Road.
Gate at Eastern end, and how to get around said gate 😉
With reference to the attached image, has anyone ever ventured down into the valley (purple) using the side tracks (Green) that branch off east-ish off Moirs Hill Road (Blue)?
The side tracks are fairly steep but ride able, and there looks to be some great little trails in that valley.
I was just wondering if anyone had any more info on it, or maybe even a GPS route.
A nice challenging stretch of “off” road, very steep in some sections. More like a hillclimb 🙂 They (2 of them) catch you a bit off guard as they begin shortly after a bend. Definitely not one to venture in the wet. The climb was fun though – had a good day for it. If you keep your speed up and weight over the handlebars – you’ll be good. The gate is tricky to pass – managed to get my large F800GS through – I don’t think this would be suitable for a 1200 though. The gate at the other end is quite technical too, you can’t squeeze through it and have a tiny detour around it. You basically have to accelerate up a bank and brake just in time before hitting a barbed wire fence. On the ride – you pass by some roadside beehives – so if you have allergies – not worth the risk. Views are nice from the top though – see photos.
I rode it on Saturday morning. First part was relatively easy. There are some sections that are marbled. (lose stones) as can be seen below. Before I knew it a locked gate was blocking my path to further fun filled adventure. Decided to climb the embankment and on we went. The road becomes a little more rutted with lots of lose gravel. But was not too taxing. Eventually came to a fork in the road and I went right, which ended being wrong for various reasons. It was clay and very slippery. I took the incorrect line, my front wheel simply slid out. It was the first time I dropped my Bike. Fortunately I had come to virtually a complete standstill before I gently lay her down, with my legs spread eagle with my bike facing the direction I had come from (complete 180). I had a chuckle to myself, thankful that I was not injured and anxious to see the damage to my bike. Apart from my bar end that was only slightly scratched, my bike was unscathed. Thank the pope. Picked it up and on I went. It was a steep gradient on the decent and I simply couldnt keep my bike from skidding from the centre into the ruts, it was just to slippery. (Needed far more aggressive tread for this track). So I estimate, at approx half way down, we decided to turn around and made our way back. It was much easier going up. We reached the fork and tried the left side of the road but not far along the track a second locked Gate prevented any further passage. It was not passable on either side. It was a beautiful morning and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Here a few extra pics for those riders that have not managed to do this ride. I have very little offroad experience and I managed….to drop my bike…..but that aside it was an awesome experience.
Someone has recently dropped the tree by the gate at the eastern end. Can still get through but it is a bit precarious to do that with a hole on one side and a bank on the other. Unfortunate as it is an ULR, so the public should have unimpeded access.
Went to access this over the weekend from the eastern side and the trail that used to go around the gate has now been dug out and a tree has been felled to block the path. It would still be possible to get around on one side but it would be a bit tricky. I didn’t attempt to pass it as it seems someone is trying to prevent access. I was under the impression this was a public road though? Anyone know anything about this?
It had been a while since I rode Moir Hill (probably about a year), so I gave it a go this past weekend. I entered at the northern gate (Matthew Rd), no worries there, same as usual. Rode through to the southern end (Moir Hill Rd).
I did try walk a path around the fallen tree, as I recall one used to be able to get around it, even after it was taken down, they just needed to give it a wider berth, but there the surrounding vegetation is too thick.
I then opted for the opposite side of the road and managed to get the bike through the pedestrian gap. This can be tricky and there is a risk of dropping the bike down into a hole/ditch.
Overall I observed at how the gorse has been taking over that hillside. There were numerous fun trials and hill-climbs that branched off the main track into the eastern valley. Most of those looked completely overgrown and as I remember some slips/holes in those trails that one could barely see when the bush was reasonable. Now it could be far more treacherous!
Rode this today on my XR250 Tornado. Was all good but could see how it would be kinda sketchy when wet.
Rode this track on the V-Strom 800DE, and was very happy for the dry conditions considering I’m still running the stock tyres. I remember it being treacherous even on the dr650 with the stock deathwings. Back up and down was a fun side excursion off the local gravel roads I was mostly hammering
Just to clarify, Moir Hill is open at both ends. Wasn’t the last time I went in. Rode in from Mathews road today and out the top. Nice alternate to other north south options.
https://youtu.be/bvCAThWHrqo
[embed]https://youtu.be/skQuKnf_OYA?si=itzx_dGZaa3B0r2l[/embed]
15-03-25
Logging activity happening. Can still ride although they have done some grading and gravel work. Not to the riders pleasure.