Katea Loop (Catlins Cycling Route)

This is a great ride through some of the back rural roads of The Catlins.

Distance - 16.5km loop

Surface conditions – The road is sealed for 2.5km to Katea Road and a further 4km on the final stretch home down the main road. The balance of the ride is loose gravel.

Gradient – This is a relatively flat ride with the odd incline along Hunt Road (9km mark). It’s all downhill on the final leg once you reach the main highway. Elevation gain: 203m.

Directions – From the Ōwaka public carpark head up Saunders Street towards the Ōwaka Valley. This is a gentle stretch on a sealed road. After 2.5km turn right into Katea Road, riding along the gravel for 4.5km towards Katea where you can check out the war memorial. From Katea, turn right again onto Hunt Road and follow this for 6km until you reach the main road. From there you can head back to Ōwaka on the sealed road.