Riding the Track
The Nydia Track is definitely a Grade 4/5 track with challenging rooty and rocky sections in parts. We rode in from the trailhead in Kaiuma Bay and it took us 3hrs to do the 17km to the DOC Lodge, with 2hrs 11min of moving time. There’s a pretty decent but gradual climb initially, followed by a cruisy decent. From then on, there were definitely a few bits of hike-a-biking for us on the long climb up to Kaiuma Saddle. The ride down to Nydia Bay was again pretty cruisy. It made for a decent climbing track on the way back. Although there were a few spots we didn’t ride on the initial decent, it was a really good ride out. The ride out from the On The Track Lodge came out shorter at 13.4km and took us 2hrs 20mins with 1hr 45min moving time.
If you think the track might be a bit too challenging for you to ride in, feel free to bring bikes with you on the water taxis. There is easy riding along the track in the bay and the ride up to Kaiuma Saddle and back, although quite a climb, is more like Grade 2-3.
