Ride through history and native bush on the Ohakune Old Coach Road. © Visit Ruapehu

Ride through history on the Ohakune Old Coach Road

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Take an easy ride along a historic road that winds through native forest in Ruapehu. 

The Ohakune Old Coach Road was once an integral part of New Zealand’s transport network. In the 1900s, the partially cobbled road linked two railheads on the main trunk line and was used to carry passengers and goods by horse and coach before the two points were linked in 1908. 

Today, the route is a grade two 15-kilometre, half-day ride suitable for families and cyclists with moderate fitness. 

Discover the remarkable engineering feat of the Hapuawhenua Viaduct, remnants of cobblestones through the bush, a curved tunnel and other railway relics. 

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An abandoned train tunnel along the Old Coach Road. A spectacular 15km mountain bike/walk taking in New Zealand’s rail heritage, with beautiful stands of native forest and sweeping views across the district to be enjoyed along the way @nzfishy @visitruapehu #ruapehu . . . . . . . . . #destinationnz #capturenz #gottalovenz #newzealandguide #purenewzealand #capturenz #newzealandfinds #kiwishots #destinationnz #cyclingnz #discover_newzealand #tongarironationalpark #passionpassport #shotsofoceania #lovetheworld #tlpicks #nakedplanet #discoverearth #welivetoexplore #theglobewanderer #outdoorstravel #bestplacetogo #ig_newzealand #nzimagery #oldcoachroad #nzmustdo #trampingnz #horopito #ohakune #ourgreateroutdoors

A post shared by Ruapehu (@visitruapehu) on Mar 16, 2018 at 10:44am PDT

The forest is lush with birdlife and native trees including kahikatea, rimu, mataī and rātā.

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