MotoRidez · Roads

The Taihape to Napier Road

NZ · New Zealand

The Taihape to Napier Road
Photo by Petra Reid · Pexels Licence, illustrative photo
The road, north up. 27 km end to end.
Descent, 12.1% at its steepestDescent, 11.2% at its steepestClimb, 13.6% at its steepestDescent, 13.5% at its steepest
Climb along the road — 468 m to 880 m · 419 m of climbing
Highest
880 m
Lowest
468 m
Climb
419 m
Descent
782 m
Start to end
839 → 475 m
Steepest
13.6%
27 kmEnd to end
0h 18m Riding time
Twisty Twistiness
Paved Surface

The twistiest stretch of the hill-country road between Taihape and Napier, quiet and with few towns.

SeasonNovember to April

Empty country and a steady rhythm of bends, climbing out of the river valleys into open hills and dropping toward the coast.

There is little in the way of services, so check your fuel before leaving either end and carry what you need.

It is quiet, which is the draw, and also means help is a long way off if something goes wrong.

More on this road: The best motorcycle roads in New Zealand's North Island

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