Horse TrailsNgā paparahi hōiho

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council manages three main trail areas for horse rider recreation.

The Tukituki Trail in Central Hawke's Bay is also maintained by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

As the trails are limestone tracks used by cyclists, walkers and runners, please be courteous while riding and be cautious of others. Please remember to share these trails with care.

Horses are to remain on the grass areas alongside the limestone tracks. If there is no room to pass, horses are permitted to walk on the limestone trails in this instance.

These areas are noted below.

Look for the Hawke's Bay Regional Parks and Open Spaces brochure at i-sites and other visitor centres.

Awatoto-Puketapu

( currently closed due to Cyclone Gabrielle)

Tuki-Tuki trail in CHB

See more here: Tukituki Trail | Hawke's Bay Regional Council (hbrc.govt.nz)

Clive - Tukituki horse trail

This horse trail runs from Clive, along ‘Muddy Creek’ estuary, down to the Tukituki River and through to River Road. There’s a mix of riverside trails next to stopbanks with coastal views and a rural outlook.

Look for the ‘Horse Trail' signs on the way.

Below you will find the route, map, and parking information.

Entrances

• Start – Richmond
  • Richmond Road, sea end (4km to Clive, 10km to River Road)
  • Plenty of parking
  • Middle - Blackbridge
    • Horse gate for entry to the river berms
• South – River Road, Havelock North
• River Road, reserve end (14km to Clive)
• Plenty of parking

Gates

There are gates that require a horse key to open. Keys are available at HBRC for $20 and require keyholders to sign a user register. Please contact us on 06 835 9200 to arrange.

Trail guide – where to go 

• The start of the trail begins at Richmond Road carpark area. Parking is available for approx. 10 horse floats. Ride up the small rise and turn right to follow the blue horse trail arrows.
• Horses are permitted to cross the limesand cycle trail to ride at the bottom of the stopbank. If possible, pull to the side for pedestrians and cyclists to pass.
• The horse trail resumes after the Bell Road entrance and continues to the grass beside the limesand trail.
• Riders are near the entrance into the Tukituki River. From here, the limesand trail goes downhill. Riders stay left to the limesand trail. Take care at the blind corner and be aware of electric tapes.
• Transition to a gravel road beside the river (you will see the Hastings Dump located above).
• Continue under Black Bridge to the horse gate (which requires a horse key). Follow beside the river to River Road on the grassy areas.
• The end of the trail finishes at River Road carpark.

Please note:

• There is room for horse floats.
• The river is grazed constantly. Please leave gates/tapes the way you found them.
• You can start this trail ride at either end.
• Be alert to potholes and river debris – this is a dynamic river area.

Discretion, caution, courtesy and share with care

• Enjoy the trail – watch for fences, electric ‘hotwires’ and uneven surfaces.
• Please respect the horse trail – only use the limesand trail when necessary.
• Where possible, keep clear or give way to cyclists and walkers.
• Clear poo from gravel parking areas shared with other users.
• Dangerous or suspicious behaviour? Contact Napier Police 06 831 0700.
• Dumped rubbish or cars? Call the Pollution Hotline 0800 108 838.
• River berm areas are open spaces for public recreation by motor cyclists, walkers, cyclists, paint ball clubs, fishermen and hunters to name a few.