Biking the Mahinapua Walkway – West Coast Wilderness Trail

oh it’s good to be back on the bike again and what a perfect day for it – sunshine, no wind, absolutely lovely.

We’re sampling some more of the West Coast Wilderness Trail – a cycle trail from Greymouth to Ross but easily broken into sections depending on your time available and fitness levels.

The Mahinapua walkway is part of the Hokitika to Ross section and we’re starting at the Woodstock end heading through to Hoki end and then back again – a nice easy in and out.

Did I mention it’s a stunning day – little chilly but it is autumn after-all and we have perfect riding conditions.

The Mahinapua walkway is actually an old tram line so very gentle incline to the middle in each direction really.  It starts through dense rain forest – part of the Mahinapua Scenic Reserve and scenic it most definitely is.

It is a fabulous trail of stunning varying West Coast scenery topped with fascinating history from the sawmilling days.  There are plenty of relics on route and interpretation panels to give you a better feel for the days gone by.

We take a little detour on a hidden side track and enter an old plantation forest – slowly being taken back over by the native forest.  It is a 4WD track,  climbing gently then meanders along the top before the gentle decline back to meet with the walkway.  It adds probably a couple of kms to the ride but only cuts out about 5oo metres of the walkway trail.

Back on the trail and we reach the Mahinapua creek.  This section is a rather long boardwalk that crosses the creek as it meanders down the valley.  It is stunning through here and with little wind gives some great reflections.

We finally reach the Hokitika end and the start/finish of the trail is a gorgeous old wooden bridge spanning the creek.  Again fantastic reflections and I love the vegetation around here – a great mix of marshland scrub and native shrubs and trees.

Time to turn back but not before a little detour through to “Picnic Spot”.  This is a short side trail on the track that takes you to the lake edge.  For some it is best to leave the bike and walk as it has some quite technical riding with lots of tree roots, rocks and little drop offs.

It was a fun little detour – we enjoyed the challenge but were responsible when it came to the last section and walked down to the lake edge.

I know – I think the bikes might have been happy for the rest here too……

oh it’s good to be back on the bike again.

The West Coast Wilderness Trail – another section done.  Something for everyone so make sure you include it on your list of things to do when you visit the West Coast of the Southern Alps.

Jan and Stephen run Breakers Boutique Accommodation on the Great Coast Road north of Greymouth.  They enjoy getting out and about and exploring the many wonders that help make this region so special.