Horse TrailsNgā paparahi hōiho

We manage three main horse trails for recreational horse riding:

• Awatoto - Puketapu
• Clive - Tukituki
• Tukituki Trail in Central Hawke's Bay

The horse trails are located on the grass areas below stopbanks and limesand trails, plus in river berms.

Please do not use the limesand trail network. These soft tracks are only for walking, running, and cycling. 

Awatoto-Puketapu

This trail is closed due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Clive - Tukituki horse trail

This horse trail runs from Clive, along ‘Muddy Creek’ estuary, down to the Tukituki River and through to River Road. On this ride you’ll enjoy coastal views and rural outlooks.

Look for the ‘Horse Trail' signs to guide your way.

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

Entrances

Start North – Richmond

• Richmond Road, sea end (4km to Clive, 10km to River Road)
• Plenty of parking
• Horse gate for entry to the river berms

Start 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 the Regional Council offices for $20. To register, we require keyholders to sign a user form. 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 down the gravel road towards sea and to Richmond Road Reserve. Turn right before carpark to follow the blue horse trail arrows towards River Road.
• After approx. 280m on the horse trail (going towards River Road), cross over the stopbank briefly and drop down beside the fence (200m), before re-crossing at the Bell Road entrance and resuming. The ride continues in the grass area, parallel to the shared walking/cycling limesand trail – between the shared trail and beach area.
• Horses are permitted to only cross the limesand cycle trail so you can ride below, or at the bottom of the stopbank. Before crossing the shared walking/cycling trails, check clear of pedestrians and cyclists.
• The horse trail after Bell Road is now near the Tukituki River mouth. From here, stay left of the limesand trail and on the grassy horse trail. Take care at the blind corner and be aware of electric tapes.
• Transition to a gravel 4WD 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 on the river berm to River Road, on the grassy areas between the river and stopbank.
• The end of the trail finishes at the River Road carpark.
• NOTE: the Purple section of the ‘Ferry Road Clive to Richmond’ map is only open from February to June. Enter the gate at end of Ferry Road, cross over shared walking/cycling limesand track, and ride below the stopbank to the river mouth. Follow the horse trail out towards the ocean, before turning right to follow horse trails and the 4WD track towards Richmond Road.

Please note

• There is room for horse floats.
• The river is grazed constantly by cattle. Always leave gates/tapes the way you found them.
• Do not ride on the limesand shared walking/cycling trail or stopbanks.
• You can start this trail ride at either River Road or Richmond Road.
• Be alert to potholes and river debris – this is a dynamic river area.

Tukituki trail in Central Hawke's Bay

See more on our page: Tukituki Trail

Discretion, caution, courtesy, and share with care

• Enjoy the horse trail – watch for fences, electric ‘hotwires’, and uneven surfaces.
• Please respect the horse trail. Only cross walking/cycling limesand trail when necessary.
• 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. Waitangi Regional Park is a wetland providing a habitat for seabirds, waterfowl, fish, insects, and plants. There are designated areas for different users groups i.e., walkers, cyclists, fishermen and hunters.