Horse Trail

Clive/Tukituki Horse Trail

A new horse trail is an addition to the Rotary Centennial Pathway, Clive/ River Road (Tukituki).  It offers a mix of riverside trails, coastal views and rural settings.

There will be a lot of signs up like this one.  Check below for the route so you know where to go, and parking information is provided.

On this page

• Entrances
• Clive/Tukituki Horse Trail
• Courtesy

Entrances

 

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Northern Entrance Main Road, Clive (14km to River Road) Lots of parking here, but will be shared with boaties/jetskis on the weekend.  Given it is a very public area, it would be a good idea to pick up poo here.

 

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Middle Entrance Sea end of Richmond Road, (4km to Clive, 10km to River Road) Plenty of parking.

 

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Southern Entrance Eastern end of River Road (14km to Clive) Plenty of parking but more isolated.

 

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The Clive/Tukituki Horse Trail This (below) is the start of the track from the Clive end. This is the how the gates/spars are set-up - a spar for those who can jump, and a locked gate next to it.  Keys are available – Hawke's Bay Regional Council will require people with keys to sign a register to keep track of users (contact Vince Byrne on 845 9230).

 

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Along the Clive River, stay off the lime path on the mown track. Quite a lot of people use this area, so it would make sense to ride slowly past them in the interests of harmony!

 

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At this point (about 1km from the Clive entrance) you can cross the stream to get to the sea if you feel like it.  (Rideable at low tide – a few meters of sand).

 

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Otherwise follow alongside the lime path, riding at the bottom of the stop-bank.  You will come across this barrier which you can pass beside – from here head toward the sea (ie you won’t be next to the lime for a while) and then ride down the middle of the wildlife/bird reserve.

 

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This is the reserve.  If you have a dog with you, best not to let it go in the water in spring time as lots of eggs and chicks about.

 

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You will come across double gates/spars, cross over a culvert and then get back onto the trail.

 

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This is the only section of trail where horses are allowed to be on the lime walkway (approx 150m). If there are any problems a horse path will be added in the future to keep them separate. Only walk on the lime and perhaps a good idea to pull off the path if able to pass pedestrians/cyclists.

 

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After this point the lime path goes downhill, - the horses are supposed to then stay on the top of the stopbank until you reach the river.  However, if the farmer (who grazes the river) has hot wire up on the stopbank (as in the picture above) you have no choice but to ride on the lime path.

 

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This is the entrance into the Tukituki River.  Once through this first gate, hang a left, you have to negotiate a couple of electric tapes but then you are into the river.  In the river itself, it’s fairly self explanatory.  Gates and spars at various places.  Horses are not allowed on the stopbank in the river itself (even though you will often see cattle up there).  The Council is worried about compatibility issues with cyclists etc although this may change in the future if we prove its workability This river is grazed constantly, so it’s important gates/tapes are left as they are found. Also, it’s a typical river, - lots of potholes and debris to look out for, but there are a few nice looking natural cross-country jumps we could get going in the future!

 

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Then follow your horses nose ….!

 

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Courtesy

• Enjoy the trail, but this is a rural area so watch for fences, hotwires, uneven surfaces
• Keep clear of cyclists and walkers, give way where necessary
• Clear poo from gravel parking areas as these are shared with other users.