Rimutaka Hill Road

New Zealand / Wellington / Featherston /
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The winding Rimutaka Hill Road, on State Highway 2 is well known to NZ motorcyclists. It is the only road route over the Rimutaka Ranges, travelling through the Pakuratahi Forest on the Hutt Valley side of the ranges ( western side), to the Wairarapa Plains in the east. At the summit the road is 555m above sea level. It is 14.6 Km from the Pakuratahi River road bridge ( elevation 200m ) at the western end, to the Abbots Creek twin road bridges ( elevation 100m ) situated on the Wairarapa end of the run.

Riding conditions can vary enormously. No single run ever seems identical. In winter the road can often be shrouded in mist, or may be closed for brief periods due to snow or landslips. It can be scoured by severe northwest gales. Traffic can be heavy at times eg during holiday periods, or coincident with popular activities eg the Tauherenikau horse races. But for normal traffic conditions an adequate number of overtaking lanes exist.

A large rest area is situated at the summit where public toilets are situated, and tearooms are also available. On any good day there will be a throng of motorcycles and their lurking pilots willing to chat.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°5'57"S   175°14'59"E

Comments

  • wassup guys? Havin fun?
  • Wikimapia needs to update - no loos at the top anymore, the cafe has gone as well. My friends have memories of a really nasty creamed corn toasted sammie at that cafe (thought it was cheese)!
This article was last modified 8 years ago