Waitara Rd is a 4 track gravel road north of SH5 along the Mohaka River valley. The South end of road is sealed as it goes along river flats in farmland and forestry. Past Glenfalls Campsite the gravel starts. The gravel is wide enough for logging trucks to pass at full speed with room to spare, and is used by Hawkes Bay Car Club for gravel sprints.
The GPX Track file includes a detour to DOC’s Everetts campsite for lunch on banks of Mohaka River, and a lookout over where the river has almost horseshoed (looped on itself). If you do take the detour to Everetts Campsite you can carry on past the lookout and rejoin Waitara Road a bit further down.
Vehicle access to Everetts Bay Campsite is currently closed due to a landslip but the campsite itself is open for use.
You can loop in Pohukura Road at the North End of Waitara Road to bypass much of SH5 and SH2 if you are heading Taupo to Wairoa or vice versa.
Contributed by: @knaufie
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
