Big River - Waiuta

This is a really nice point-to-point run. Both road ends are a bit out of the way, so if you can arrange a key swap that's the best plan, and it's also open to mountain bikes.

Start along Soldiers Road. This old 4WD road winds through beautiful beech forest, passing several old mine shafts. Initially it climbs gradually before a descent to a creek, then climbs more steadily again to break out into some more open manuka/pakihi vegetation. From here it descends gradually again to Big River. This is almost exactly the halfway point. Here there are several signboards with information about the area's mining history. There are a few old buildings and workings, then just up the hill above there is a DoC hut - Big River Hut - with nice views over the river flat.

The hut is a very short side trip from the track. There is also the option for a slightly longer side trip (approx 2km each way) to Big River Dam. Ignore signs to Inangahua (this track heads east across Big River) - instead continue to follow DoC signs to Waiuta. From Big River the route on becomes single track, again heading through mature beech forest. The boggier areas now have short boardwalks over them, but it can still be pretty wet underfoot. The track climbs up over a small bush saddle (the track's high point) then undulates gradually downwards before popping out onto gravel road just before Waiuta. This is a really interesting area to have a look around too if you still have the energy!