KAITIEKE BIKE TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Downhill Through the Backcountry: Fishers Track Shuttle from Retaruke to National Park
A mostly downhill mountain-bike shuttle from Fishers Track to National Park that pairs volcanic panoramas with flowing gravel, native bush and a convenient return shuttle from the Retaruke horseshoe monument.
Downhill Through the Backcountry: Fishers Track Shuttle from Retaruke to National Park.
Fishers Track threads the remote foothills and forests around Tongariro National Park, delivering a mostly downhill ride that moves from native bush and farmland to a historic single-track descent into the Kaitieke Valley. The route combines wide gravel roads, flowing track and sweeping volcanic views for an achievable backcountry outing.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Panoramic volcanic views
On clear days the trail opens to long sightlines across the Central North Island, with views extending from Mount Taranaki in the west to Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro in the east, and Mount Hauhungatahi rising above the bush.
Historic public road and flowing descent
The ride follows a late-1800s public road alignment through Erua Forest, farmland and backcountry terrain, finishing with the downhill ‘Public Road’ single-track toward the Kaitieke Valley.
Accessible backcountry riding
Mostly downhill and graded for beginner to intermediate riders, Fishers Track offers remote scenery and a genuine backcountry feel without extreme technical demands—an ideal half-day mountain-bike shuttle.
What the day feels like
What the ride feels like
This is a flowing, mostly downhill shuttle that begins at the Fishers Track trailhead and slips through native Erua Forest and open farmland before a rewarding single-track descent into the Kaitieke Valley; riders finish at the Retaruke horseshoe monument where the shuttle collects the group for the return to National Park.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this shuttle suits — and who it does not.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The shuttle experience is scheduled as a one-hour outing.
Meet at the corner of Oio Road and Upper Retaruke Road; park at the Fishers Track trail start in National Park before beginning the ride.
The return shuttle meets riders at the horseshoe monument at Retaruke between approximately 1:00pm and 2:00pm for transport back to National Park.
Riders must be capable of backcountry cycling, comfortable on gravel roads and downhill trail sections, and able to manage changing weather; children must be supervised at all times.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the Fishers Track shuttle take?
The experience is scheduled as a one-hour outing.
Where do I meet for the ride?
Meet at the corner of Oio Road and Upper Retaruke Road and park at the Fishers Track trail start in National Park before beginning the ride.
When does the return shuttle pick riders up?
The return shuttle meets riders at the Retaruke horseshoe monument between approximately 1:00pm and 2:00pm.
What level of rider is this suitable for?
The ride is mostly downhill and graded for beginner to intermediate riders, but participants must be comfortable on gravel roads and downhill single-track and be physically capable of a backcountry mountain-bike ride.
Are there any restrictions or health considerations?
Not suitable for people with impaired mobility, not recommended for pregnant women, and not suitable for riders with little or no cycling experience; children must be supervised.