I'm planning a Kahurangi 500 trip in May. I've had the Old Ghost Road on my bucket list for years and figured why not do the Heaphy at the same time while I'm down here, saves organising shuttles!!
but
I've always understood the Old Ghost Road to be an East to West trip, Lyell to Seddonville but the K500 descriptions all seem to go clockwise which means the OGR would be the 'wrong' way.
What are your thoughts?
Whats the Heaphy like West to East? Anything else I should consider?
by ianganderton
9 Comments
You might get some more detailed answers in the NZ sub
This post seems to be unequivocal that the Heaphy is best West to East which is a good sign!!
[https://www.heaphytrackhelp.co.nz/heaphy-track-transport-information/ps0wb217z28y41t69v37i2e4bd6c4f](https://www.heaphytrackhelp.co.nz/heaphy-track-transport-information/ps0wb217z28y41t69v37i2e4bd6c4f)
Most of the YouTube videos I’ve seen suggest doing the Hephy first then the Old Ghost rd. But yes, try find a dedicated NZ forum.
You would miss a large trail descent down to Takaka if you went clockwise and instead have to ride down a road.
I don’t know if this helps.
https://www.nelsontasman.nz/explore/things-to-do/cycling-and-mountain-biking/features/kahurangi-500/
Going clockwise does put the ogr East to west, the ‘right way’.
I’ve done both directions, it depends where you plan to stay really. Pro’s & cons of each. I prefer the climb from gb on heaphy but starting the ogr on the west coast usually means a bit more pushing depending on track condition (+energy/skill levels). The descent to lyall is peak fun though.
https://preview.redd.it/jytf8facz8fg1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77b7b259c0eb2f99ad59c612596deeaf7d421afb
I think it’s usually recommended to go anti-clockwise, because then you can ride down the Rameka track (going up this wouldn’t be fun).
You’re also getting the preferable direction for Heaphy. It’s better East to West because then you get your climbing out of the way early and are dropping down to the sea. In this direction the first climb is rocky/gravelly – which is good since you can only ride the Heaphy in the muddy winter season. If you were to do in West – East, the climb is longer and muddier.
It would mean doing Old Ghost Road backwards, but this isn’t as bad as it used to be – because in the last ~6 months they built a nice section of track to bypass the stairs at the end of the Skyline ridge. Those stairs would have been a bit of a nightmare to carry your bike up.
Other than Rameka, Heaphy, and OGR I don’t think the direction matters very much. Murchison might be a nice place to start, leave your car, etc. Otherwise from Nelson.
Honestly you’ll enjoy it either way, winds generally blow from the west in May.
Just a heads up in did it in May last year and it was so much colder than I expected, would have loved another layer of clothes and shouldve taken my winter sleeping bag.
clockwise I think is nicer. Remember it’s a pretty loosely laid route. The main aim is to circumnavigate Kahurangi National park. Our Kangurangi 500 was 670 . Starting in a nelson, sherry river road, porika track, then the usual, but not the Rameka, but the Barron’s flat wilderness track., then back to Nelson.
Heaps of these add on options on trail forks.
If you have the time an inclination add more to it.. it’s worth it
Haggiss is my trail forks handle
https://scottish-express.nz/kahurangi-500-trip-report/