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Beautiful coastal ride to deserted Victory Beach.


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Map Key

6.8

Miles

10.9

KM

50%

Singletrack

60' 18 m

High

0' 0 m

Low

114' 35 m

Up

103' 31 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Dogs are prohibited.

Overview

An easy rolling ride across the Okia Flat to a wild ocean beach. Miles of beach riding is possible at low tide.

Need to Know

This trail passes across the Okia Reserve, which exists to preserve wildlife habitat, but is open to cyclists. Consider walking your bike through the fragile dune environment near the ocean where penguins nest, sea lions sleep, and erosion can be a problem. Give wildlife a wide berth on the beach and be mindful of the tides. Victory Beach has very little sand in some places at high tide.

Description

From the carpark throw your bike over the stile at the gated trailhead. The beginning of the ride is a straight shot through fenced paddock, with sheep and wetland birds on either side. Looming on the horizon are the unique Pyramids - one large and one small, and both the result of volcanic activity. Once across the paddocks a second gate marks arrival to the Okia Reserve. Again, throw your bike over the gate at the stile, and take the opportunity while you're off your bike to scramble up the marked path up the Little Pyramid (about 10 minutes return). Views from the summit take in the entire Okia Flat, Wickliffe Bay, and headlands along the Otago Peninsula.

Heading back to the trail a nearby junction is signed for the "Loop Trail" to the left, or "Beach Access" to the right. Both tracks actually lead fairly directly to the beach. To make a bit of a loop, head left at the signed intersection and then right on a fire road that heads straight toward the ocean at a second intersection. Some ups and downs over the ancient dune lines can be steep. As you approach the beach, walk your bike and to be on the lookout for seals, sea lions and penguins that can be in the vegetation behind the beach. The last line of dunes has a sharp drop that deposits you on the sand.

At low tide, you can cruise up and down for many kilometers on Victory Beach. The sand can be soft, and watch for animals (penguins, sea lions and seals) and the rising tide - at very high tides the water can come right to the dune line. At the south end of the beach is the 1861 shipwreck of the Victory, remains of which are visible at low tide.

When you're tired of the sand you can return to the car the way you came, or find the more southern path from the beach that will close the loop that started near the entrance to Okia Reserve.

Shared By:

Almonzo Wilder

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#5

in Dunedin

#3465

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
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50%
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Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Dunedin

#26

in New Zealand

#3,465

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,042 Since Sep 6, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Don't skip the detour scramble up Little Pyramid. Great views of the track to the beach!
Sep 7, 2014 near Portobello, NZ
There aren't too many places where you'll encounter penguin tracks (or penguins!) while on a ride!
Sep 7, 2014 near Portobello, NZ
The Pyramids above Okia Flat.
Sep 6, 2014 near Portobello, NZ

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Current Trail Conditions

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