Discover Clive: River, Cycling Trails and Local History

Clive is a small riverside town between Hastings and Napier. The Hawke’s Bay Trails, spots along the Clive River and a Heritage Trail offer different ways to get to know the area. When planning your trip, it is particularly helpful to decide what you want to focus on: a cycling route, the riverside surroundings, or Clive’s environment and history? Families will also find mostly easy cycling trails here and a playground for children at Gregory Park.

Cycling the Hawke’s Bay Trails

The Hawke’s Bay Trails are mostly easy, wide and flat, with a limestone-sand surface. They are suitable for families and beginner cyclists. When choosing a ride, you can start by checking the specific route details: length, difficulty and stated duration distinguish the options described. These figures help you compare a shorter section with a longer ride, without implying anything about your own riding time.

The Clive–Clifton section is 15 km long. Its difficulty is rated 1–2, from very easy to easy, and it takes 1–2 hours. These figures provide clear guidance for anyone considering a relatively short section of the Hawke’s Bay Trails. The distance, rating and duration all apply specifically to this section.

A longer route is the return ride from Havelock North to Clive on the Hawke’s Bay Trails: it is 37 km long, rated easy and takes 2–4 hours. Compared with the 15 km Clive–Clifton section, the distance is considerably greater, and the stated duration is longer too. The two options therefore differ mainly in the length of the route. You can use these details as a guide when planning your day.

Clive River and places to relax

On the banks of the Clive River lies Evers-Swindell Reserve, a one-hectare reserve in Clive. Its name and stated size identify a specific riverside spot. Farndon Park Domain is also on the Clive River and is one of the oldest recreation areas in Hawke’s Bay. Both places give the river a distinct place in descriptions of Clive: one is a reserve with a stated area, while the other is a recreation area with a historical distinction. If you want to include riverside scenery and places to relax in your holiday plans, keep both names in mind.

Environment, local history and play areas

The Clive/Waipureku Heritage Trail leads to early building sites in Clive and explores the area’s environment and history. This is a good option for travellers who want to discover Clive not only through outdoor activities, but also through its development and surroundings. Both environment and history are among the trail’s themes, while the early building sites provide a specific connection to the area.

For families with children, Gregory Park offers another distinct attraction: the small neighbourhood playground in Clive has swings, a slide and a seesaw. Its facilities are quite different from the cycling routes and historical themes of the Heritage Trail. When planning your holiday, you can consider which activities matter most to your family. For a holiday in Clive, you can choose a focus that suits your interests from these different options, without limiting your trip to just one way of exploring.

More places to discover: Karamu, Tuki Tuki, Poukawa, Waiwhare, Hastings, Te Awanga, Kahuranaki and Clifton.

For the broader travel overview: Hastings District.