Last updated October 2026
Known in te reo as Te Eke Paihikara Huri noa i Te Ara o Waituhi, the Lavenham Road Circuit Cycle Ride is a 38 km loop on sealed country roads through Pātūtahi and past three marae. Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust grades it easy and allows about an hour and a half.
The trust’s start point is the Bushmere Arms, where Bushmere Road meets State Highway 2, and the loop crosses the Waipaoa River twice on its way through vineyards and orchards. The trust’s page says it is a favourite of the Gisborne Cycling Club.
Practical Information
- Start
- Bushmere Arms, corner of Bushmere Road and State Highway 2 (Matawai Road), or the corner of Lavenham Road and Lake Road
- Length
- 38 km loop
- Riding time
- About 1.5 hours
- Grade
- Easy
- Surface
- All sealed roads
- Traffic
- The State Highway 2 section can be busy with cars and trucks; Sundays are quieter
- Promoted by
- Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust
- Status
- Check the Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust alerts page for current closures before you ride
About Lavenham Road Circuit Cycle Ride
This is a road ride, not a path, and its appeal is the country it passes through. From the Bushmere Arms you ride out along State Highway 2 to where Lavenham Road joins it, then follow Lavenham Road through Pātūtahi and back, crossing the Waipaoa River twice. Most of the roads are quiet, running through vineyards and orchards.
The ride has a strong sense of place. Three marae stand along Lavenham Road, Takitimu, Te Rongopai and Pākōwhai, belonging to the hapū Te Whānau a Kai of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki.
The trust notes that the wharenui at Rongopai is painted in honour of the prophet Te Kooti, and that vehicle movements around the marae can be high at times.
The trust also points riders to Pātūtahi Cemetery on Cemetery Road for the area’s early European settler history.
Traffic and When to Ride
The quiet roads are the reason to come, but the loop includes a section of State Highway 2, which the trust says can be busy with cars and trucks. Sundays have lighter traffic and fewer trucks, so that is the day to choose if you want the highway stretch at its calmest.
Take care near the marae, where vehicles come and go, and ride to the conditions on the rural roads.
Where to Learn More
Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust: Lavenham Road Circuit: route map, start points and notes on the marae along the way.
Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust: Trail alerts: current closures and warnings for trails in Tairāwhiti.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lavenham Road Circuit?
It is a 38 km loop.
How long does it take to ride?
The trust allows about 1.5 hours.
Is it sealed?
Yes, the whole circuit is on sealed roads.
Where do I start?
At the Bushmere Arms, on the corner of Bushmere Road and State Highway 2, or at the corner of Lavenham Road and Lake Road.
Is it suitable for beginners?
The trust grades it easy, but part of the loop is on State Highway 2, which can be busy with trucks.
What is the best day to ride it?
Sunday, when there is less traffic and fewer trucks on the highway.
What will I see on the way?
Vineyards and orchards, two crossings of the Waipaoa River, the Takitimu, Te Rongopai and Pākōwhai marae, and Pātūtahi Cemetery.
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