To continue on the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail from Whakahoro, it’s only 14 km on the grade 4 Kaiwhakauka Track to link to the Mangapurua Track. Check the weather before you head out; it will be a hard slog in the wet.
The first stage follows a farm track. It’s picturesque and combines windy sections high above the Kaiwhakauka Stream, regenerating native forest with farmed sections, evidence of the failed attempts to settle the Kaiwhakauka and Mangapurua valleys, plus a hidden, unnamed waterfall, complete with canoes. Ask about this at the cafe.
The second stage enters the Whanganui National Park 300-metre climb through an established forest to connect with the Mangapurua Track.
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