Last updated October 2026
Linking Gisborne with Te Wairoa on back-country roads, the Tiniroto Trail is a Heartland Ride that climbs over Gentle Annie Summit and passes Rotokaha and Te Rēinga Falls on the way. Riders leave Gisborne on the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail, cross the Matawhero bridge and turn onto Tiniroto Road at the Matawhero roundabout.
Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails grades it 3 (intermediate) and gives the length as 103 km over two days, while Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust calls it hilly and gives 108 km over one to two days.
The route is mainly sealed, with gravel sections and numerous potholes on Tiniroto Road. The council can close Tiniroto Road at short notice when heavy rain is forecast.
Practical Information
- Start
- Matawhero roundabout, reached from Gisborne on the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail and the Matawhero bridge
- Finish
- Te Wairoa, via Frasertown Road and the Wairoa River bridge
- Length
- 103 km (Ngā Haerenga); 108 km (Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust)
- Riding time
- 2 days (Ngā Haerenga); 1 to 2 days (the trust)
- Grade
- Grade 3 (intermediate); the trust grades it hilly
- High point
- 434 m
- Surface
- Mainly sealed, with gravel sections and numerous potholes on Tiniroto Road; Ngā Haerenga recommends wide tyres, such as a mountain bike or gravel bike
- Stages
- Gisborne to Tiniroto 59 km; Tiniroto to Frasertown/Te Kapu 36 km; Frasertown/Te Kapu to Te Wairoa 8.5 km
- Facilities
- Toilets at the car park by the Te Rēinga bridge over the Wairoa River. The Waerenga-o-Kurī store and Tiniroto Tavern are closed, so carry enough food.
- Status
- Check the Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust alerts page for current closures before you ride
About Tiniroto Trail
The Tiniroto Trail is the inland way between Gisborne and Te Wairoa by bike. It sets off from Matawhero on Tiniroto Road and climbs to Gentle Annie Reserve and Summit, which Ngā Haerenga says has views over Gisborne, before the long run through hill country towards the Wairoa district.
Ngā Haerenga’s list of highlights continues with Rotokaha, the largest of the lakes, close to Tiniroto village; Te Rēinga Falls, just below the junction of the Hangaroa and Ruakituri rivers, where it advises care on the rocks; and Hackfalls Arboretum on Berry Road, off Ruakaka Road. The trust’s page shows a new toilet at Te Rēinga Falls.
This is a ride through country with few services. The store at Waerenga-o-Kurī and the Tiniroto Tavern have both closed, so plan food for the whole trip. Gisborne to Tiniroto is 59 km, which helps if you are splitting the ride over two days.
Road Conditions and Traffic
Most of the trail is on public roads, so traffic and the weather shape the ride.
At the Hangaroa Bluffs, falling rock is a hazard, so don’t linger. Rockfalls can close Tiniroto Road there, especially in heavy rain, and both pages name the gravel Parikanapa Road as the alternative.
Where to Learn More
Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails: Tiniroto Trail: route, map, grade and trail alerts.
Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust: Tiniroto Trail: local route notes, facilities and closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Gisborne to Wairoa on the Tiniroto Trail?
Ngā Haerenga gives 103 km over two days, and the Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust gives 108 km over one to two days.
Where does the trail start?
At the Matawhero roundabout. From Gisborne you ride there on the Coastal Waipaoa River Trail and over the Matawhero bridge.
How hard is it?
Ngā Haerenga grades it 3 (intermediate) and the trust calls it hilly. The high point is 434 m.
What kind of bike do I need?
The road is mainly sealed, but there are gravel sections and numerous potholes on Tiniroto Road, so Ngā Haerenga recommends wide tyres, such as a mountain bike or gravel bike.
Can I buy food on the way?
Don’t count on it. The Waerenga-o-Kurī store and the Tiniroto Tavern are closed.
Are there toilets?
Yes, at the car park by the Te Rēinga bridge over the Wairoa River.
What happens if the road at the Hangaroa Bluffs is closed?
Rockfall can close the road there, and both Ngā Haerenga and the trust name the gravel Parikanapa Road as the alternative.
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