Odlins Road, also known as Waiotauru Road, runs from the summit of Akatarawa Road which joins Brown Owl in Upper Hutt north of Wellington with Waikanae on the Kapiti coast. The track entrance is located directly opposite the Akatarawa Road summit carpark.
The track starts immediately with a steep stone step about 3 foot tall and then becomes a mixture of clay and stone which can be quite slippery if damp. The mid section becomes more of a gravel 4×4 track and the last 3rd is relatively steep downhill with several large washouts to cross. The end point is generally considered to be Waitauru Hut as not far beyond the hut track conditions deteriorate.
This is a one way in, one way out track so the return journey is the same track and conditions in reverse.
Odlins Road is quite popular with the local 4×4 community so always be wary of vehicles coming in the opposite direction or stopped where you wouldn’t expect them.
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Gravel/Dirt Track
Track composition: Rough, Muddy, Steep
Slippery when wet?: Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Experienced
River crossings? Yes
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2Z8l_LU4YZw
Can’t wait for this!
Odlins road slip 6 sept 17
Hi jase. Load it too Youtube there share it here.
A couple of weeks ago
https://youtu.be/y3QSGpm58Tk
Your video shows a lot of trees down onto the track. I live in Wellington city and didn’t realise we had a heavy snowfall to cause that amount of damage.
A folding pruning saw would deal to that tree above https://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/outdoor-garden-conservatory/hand-tools-equipment/loppers-pruners/auction-1437614914.htm
We went yesterday with some mates. Odlins RD it’s all clear up to the summit. We didn’t get up to the hut since we were running out of daylight.
There were some odd branches on the road, but nothing that will stop you getting there. Also the road has been smoothed at some places.
We went up October 2017. Thanks to the 4wd guys who had cut down a lot of the tree branches from the snow fall this winter.
2 x Dr 650, 1 x KL650 and 1 X Triumph Tiger XC.
All made it to the hut bar Tiger. He (I) stopped about 1/4 of the way down at the first steep gut. Good call too from the sounds of things.
https://youtu.be/AqZ2JKCeVdM
https://youtu.be/LcWCmDzGqvc
https://youtu.be/Kt8ee5RCBcs
https://youtu.be/SNBMJS8MLKM
Good tyres helped but defiantly as far as you can push a heavy adv bike.
Did it yesterday. My first time but track was in pretty good condition. Yes, there’s tricky bits but they were no drama on the WR. Would not take my Tenere in there though…
Blog here.
Went for a ride up there today.Road in good nick but pretty slippery after the last couple of days of rain.