Whanganui River Road — Whanganui toPipiriki.
Distance
80 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
700 m
Whanganui River Road — Whanganui to Pipiriki.
A quiet, atmospheric ride up the lower Whanganui River through historic Maori river settlements with biblical names. The narrow, partly unsealed road hugs the river for 64 km past Upokongaro, Jerusalem and Pipiriki — landings from the riverboat era — before climbing out of the valley to Raetihi. Slow, scenic and full of story.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance80 km
Days1
Total climb700 m
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
The route.
WhanganuiStart · Start in the river city. The River Road is narrow, winding and unsealed in stretches — allow plenty of time and watch for stock and one-lane bridges.
UpokongaroScenic Point · Riverside village with the slender 1877 St Mary's Anglican Church spire, one of the most photographed on the river.
Jerusalem (Hiruharama)Scenic Point · Historic Catholic mission of the Sisters of Compassion, founded by Suzanne Aubert in 1892, and later home to poet James K. Baxter's commune.
PipirikiScenic Point · Old riverboat landing and the jet-boat gateway to the Bridge to Nowhere. The sealed climb to Raetihi begins here.
RaetihiEnd · Climb out of the river valley to Raetihi on SH4, on the edge of the Central Plateau.
More routes in New Zealand
Lindis Pass SH8 — Cromwell to OmaramaNZ OTA · 110 kmFrench Pass Road — Rai Valley to French PassNZ MBH · 70 kmWaitaki Valley SH83 — Oamaru to OmaramaNZ OTA · 120 kmNevis Road — Bannockburn to Garston over Duffers SaddleNZ OTA · 90 kmBay of Islands Coastal Loop — Paihia, Russell & KerikeriNZ NTL · 90 kmThe Pigroot & the Maniototo — Palmerston to St Bathans (SH85)NZ OTA · 130 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS