Fishers Track

Part of the Mountain to Sea section of the NZ Cycle trail, a easy ride from National Park to Kaitieke. The uphill section from National Park is a very wide gravel road with easy gradient. At the peak descend down on the same gravel road, before joining a wide grass farm track to the bottom. An undulating road ride follows to get you to the WW1 monument at Kaitiake. An easy grade track, but it the grass may get a bit slippery when wet.

The trail start is signposted on the outskirts of National Park village. It begins with a gentle climb through the attractive native bush of Erua Forest before reaching a summit where there are fabulous views of the Tongariro National Park volcanoes behind and, on good day, the near-perfect cone of Mt Taranaki way out to the west.

From here’s it’s a thrilling 520m downhill through lush farmland into the Retaruke Valley. At the end of the farm track it’s approximately 10km along a scenic country road to the war memorial at the junction of Oio Road, the usual pick-up point for pre-booked shuttles.

Riders heading on to the Kaiwhakauka Track should head west on Oio Road; it’s 27km to the trailhead at Blue Duck Station. (Note that from Oio Road you can also head north to Taumaranui and the Timber Trail via the Mountains to Sea Connection Heartland Ride.)

It is possible to cycle back to National Park village from the war memorial junction; it’s 23km by road involving some grunty climbing.

Access Info

Start at National Park Train Station, following the Mountain to Sea marker posts.