Waitahu River is just a few km out of Reefton off Gannons Road on SH69 heading towards the Buller Gorge. It’s a one road in one road out track that runs alongside the Waitahu River.
This track will be different every time you ride it as it’s state is very dependant on recent weather conditions. The track can range from relatively smooth wide dirt, to gravel, to single track, to mud to riding through the middle of a stream, to riding over sections of large rocks, all in the same ride. How far you can get along the track will also depend on recent weather conditions as the river can alter course, wash away the banks and deposit rocks and other debris across the track.
Contributed by: @eddieb
Track type: Dirt and Mud
Track composition: Bumpy, Muddy, Undulating
Slippery when wet?: Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Experienced
River crossings? Yes
This footage was shot in mid winter at Waitahu River.
Sadly the track is complete washed away about half way along so is now impassable, I would be surprised if it’s ever reinstated
Unfortunately this track is now completely washed away about half way up, I can’t really see it ever being reinstated
You can get about 4km in before the washout, then you are forced into the river bed for about 1km before rejoining the track then you have to tackle a 5m bank before the track opens back up. River crossings are about 1m deep when the river is running low. Would recommend experienced riders only on dirt bikes, with no rain in the last couple of weeks