Admiral Hill Loop
Overview
95km of tough terrain – about 50% sealed road and 50% low use gravel road. This takes in spectacular valley scenery, deep in the backcountry.
This ride requires a whole day or can be split over two 60 km days (ask us about accommodation along the way).
IMPORTANT – There are no shops along the way – be prepared with sufficient food and water before you leave Martinborough. Mobile phone reception is basically non-existant in this part of the world.
Directions
These directions are for an anti-clockwise loop.
- Start: Green Jersey Explorer Tours, Kitchener Street. Ride along Broadway Street to New York Street. Turn Right and continue until Todds Road, turn left and ride following the golf course onto Hinakura Road. After one Kilometre you will pass Olivo Olive Oil.
- 9km – Longbush Road: After 9 kilometres you will reach Longbush Road, do not turn onto Longbush Road, continue straight ahead toward Hinakura and Pahaoa, this intersection signals the start of your first sustained hard climb. This is the first of two big climbs before you descend into Hinakura.
- 25km – Moeraki Road, Hinakura: At approximately the 25km mark you will arrive at Hinakura. A town was planned for this site, but a community hall is all that was developed! You will turn left here on Moeraki Road.
- Doing it in 2 days? There are three accommodation options at Hinakura: Moy Hall, Aotea or Moeraki Station. If you are staying in Hinakura for the night you could choose to take a side trip to Pahaoa. This is a stunning beach, wild, South East facing. It is 18km (36km return) from Hinakura – there are hills, but nothing too hard.
- 57km – Gladstone: 33 kilometres on gravel with several massive hills, three gates across public roads. You will encounter sheep, horses, cattle and the odd farmer. Approx 7 km from Hinakura you will cross the Pahaoa River for the second time and ride left onto Ngakonui Road. Another 5.5 km and you arrive at an intersection. Summerhill road goes right, but you should follow Wainuioru Road to the left. Wainuioru Road becomes Clifton Grove and you will eventually find tarseal as you ascend to the summit of Admiral Hill, 500m (25.5km after Hinakura). Enjoy the view, in the paddock above the summit are two large red chairs to take it all in from. Enjoy 7km of fast downhill to Gladstone.
- Gladstone to Longbush and back to Martinborough: Turn left toward Martinborough – after a short distance you can turn right to have lunch at the Gladdie, a country pub with big steaks, that sits on the bank of the Ruamahanga River (a 3km detour). Continue on Longbush Road for 20km. You will find yourself back at the intersection with Hinakura Road. Turn right and ride back into Martinborough.
Ask us about detouring to Carterton/Greytown on the way back.