The Waioeka Gorge

NZ · New Zealand

The road, north up. 19 km end to end.

Climb along the road — 21 m to 102 m · 210 m of climbing

Highest: 102 m
Lowest: 21 m
Climb: 210 m
Descent: 252 m
Start to end: 65 → 23 m

19 kmEnd to end

0h 11m Riding time

Flowing Twistiness

Paved Surface

The twistiest stretch of State Highway 2 through the Waioeka Gorge between Ōpōtiki and Matawai, with long bends beside a river through native bush.

SeasonNovember to April

A sustained, flowing road through the gorge. The corners are long and the bush closes in on both sides, so the rhythm is steady rather than sharp.

It is a main route with trucks, and the gorge walls make slips and rockfall a real risk after heavy rain. Check the road report before you go.

Fuel is limited between the towns at each end, so fill up before the gorge.

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

Plan a ride on it More roads

Photos are contributed by riders and reviewed before they appear here. Conditions change — check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.