The night before your ride, stay in the Ōpōtiki area at one of the many accommodation partners who support Motu Trails. For example, Opotiki Holiday Park and Oasis Backpackers are right in town, Bush to Bay Holiday Stays have a range of listings, Island View Holiday Park is alongside the new Waiotahe Trail, or the Ohiwa Beach Tasman Holiday Park has a family-friendly feel right on a stunning beach.

The next morning, in Ōpōtiki, sit down for a hearty cooked-to-order breakfast at the Hot Bread Shop café, which opens early. Opotiki New World is ideal for stocking up on snacks and lunch for the trail and make sure to fill up your drink bottle, as you’re going into remote country!

Take a shuttle from Ōpōtiki, with Motu Trails Hire & Shuttle (runs December to May, closed June to November). Confirm the drop-off point, if you will start riding from the hilltop above Motu it's an easier ride; whereas starting in from the Ōpōtiki coast is much hillier.

Either way, you ride some of Motu Road to get to the start of the Pakihi Track, then down the singletrack at your own pace. Enjoy the lush wilderness of the forest, river and birdsong, and the sense of remoteness, stopping at the Pakihi Hut or the riverside for lunch. Pakihi Track is not especially technical, but there are some steep drop-offs to the side so it is rated advanced (grade 4). The ride takes 2-5 hours.

Upon completing the track, ride back to Ōpōtiki, then fuel up with delicious baked goods at Kafe Friends, relaxing in their garden settings if the weather is fine.

If you want more to do, why not take an evening spin on the Dunes Trail, the new Waioeka trail round the riverside of Ōpōtiki, the Pakihikura Harbour Trail out to the new Ōpōtiki Harbour entrance, or ride westwards on the Waiotahe Trail. See the Opotiki Trails brochure map.