About Us
Tākaro means play...
In this crazy world, it can be the simple things that we appreciate, like a bike ride. We think life is better on a bike. That’s why we are in this business – we help you get on a bike and visit some unforgettable places in Hawke’s Bay.
Here’s the official blurb “Tākaro Trails delivers unforgettable cycling experiences in one of the New Zealand’s most acclaimed wine regions. Award-winning Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours have been welcoming cyclists to Hawke’s Bay since 2010 and working alongside others to offer amazing visitor experiences.”
The Tākaro Trails team will give you a personalised service and get you into the heart of the Hawke’s Bay Trails, whether that involves a multi day tour where you ride around Hawke’s Bay visiting all the highlights over 2-4 days or a one day ride to visit just one of the best bits (with a couple of wineries along the way). We operate with a total commitment to customer needs and provide flexible tours and rides to suit all itineraries – self-guided or guided, one day or multi-days.
Our mission is to get you on a bike, set you off onto the trails and catch up with you a few hours/days later to share your stories, big smiles and glowing happiness.
In Hawke’s Bay, the off-road cycling trails are wide, smooth and mostly flat, perfect for enjoying the mini Mediterranean climate with some of the finest food and wine to be found anywhere in the world……it is the perfect indulgent experience!
Tākaro Trails operate under the Tiaki Promise – number one to us is a total commitment to people and place. Our world renowned Takaro trails service is a real thing – customers continuously tell us how much they loved their cycling tour, it is the highlight of their holiday. Our staff provide everything needed so you can relax and enjoy the ride – trail briefings, maps, top quality bikes and e-bikes, helmets, carrier bags etc.
- FUN FACTS
– Our base is located in Ahuriri, Napier – this is the ‘hub’ of all Tākaro Trails activity
– Just 5 minutes from Hawke’s Bay airport and just off the main route into Napier from the North
– Napier is just a 2 hour drive from Taupo, 3 hours from Rotorua, 5.5 hours from Auckland and just 4 hours from Wellington!
– There are also daily, direct flights to Hawke’s Bay from all major cities in NZ
– We are open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Easter Sunday - Contact us here
- We love our trade partners – if you are in the travel industry and interested in listing our products check out info here and send us an intro
Who are we? Tākaro Trails was founded in 2010 by Hawke’s Bay local Jenny Ryan. Now Tākaro Trails is owned by Karen and Rog and we are proud to say that we are a small, family owned and operated, New Zealand cycle company. It all began for us in 2019 when we took over the reins from Jenny. After an amazing 2019-2020 summer where we met some cool people from around NZ and the world, COVID-19 hit! It’s fair to say that it stopped us in our tracks, kind of like hitting a tree root on a fast downhill and taking flight over the handlebars, down the bank to land in a gorse bush (I’m sure we’ve all done that eh).
Since then, we had an (enforced) holiday and regrouped to focus on Kiwi travellers. It’s been great meeting more Kiwis and getting to know the ones that are new to Hawke’s Bay. The feedback we have been getting is that this place is a gem in New Zealand and “why haven’t I been here before?”. So COVID has given us a good thing in encouraging more Kiwis to visit the off the track places, we love that.
We employ a fabulous team who have stuck with us through thick and thin, we love them and are so happy to work with our team. Together we are driven by having fun and being the best at what we do!
As for the cycling – it’s pretty damn incredible here in Hawke’s Bay – there are 200km of flat, easy and fast trails, meaning you can go as far as you want to and stop lots to enjoy the attractions along the way. It is the adventure and the experience that is important – the bike just happens to be the best way to travel!