New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide
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Alps 2 Ocean, Canterbury newzealand.com EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND'S GREAT RIDES International airport Domestic airport Kerikeri Paihia Cycling trail Whangarei AUCKLAND Whitianga Thames HAMILTON Tauranga ROTORUA Taupō Gisborne New Plymouth Ohakune Otago Central Rail Trail Napier Whanganui EXPLORE THE BEST OF NEW ZEALAND ON A GREAT RIDE Palmerston North Kapiti Coast Nelson WELLINGTON New Zealand’s Great Rides are an unforgettable way to soak up Blenhiem Westport breathtaking scenery while visiting must-see attractions and discovering hidden gems. Greymouth Hanmer Springs Hokitika Collectively known as the New Zealand Cycle Trail There really is something for everyone, with and spreading from north to south, the Great excellent cycling services making things NORTH ISLAND TRAILS . Twin Coast Cycle Trail Fox Glacier Rides vary from a leisurely few hours to an epic easy. Most Great Rides are accessible from CHRISTCHURCH . Hauraki Rail Trail Aoraki Mount Cook . Waikato River Trail eight days. Mostly off-road and predominantly towns and cities where tour guides and . Motu Trails Lake Tekapo easy to intermediate, they traverse a remarkable shuttle operators offer advice and support . Te Ara Ahi Trail . The Timber Trail range of landscapes, from sparkling coastlines to including luggage transfers for multi-day trips. Timaru . Great Lake Trail rolling farmland and flinty mountain passes. Welcoming and atmospheric accommodation, Milford Sound . Mountains to Sea Trail Wanaka . Hawke’s Bay Trails cafés and restaurants provide home comforts . Rimutaka Cycle Trail They are a memorable way to reach some of QUEENSTOWN Oamaru SOUTH ISLAND TRAILS along the way. New Zealand’s major sights including world- . Queen Charlotte Track Te Anau . Dun Mountain Trail famous natural landmarks, as well as cultural A world of possibility awaits, whether you’re . Tasman’s Great Taste Trail DUNEDIN . The Old Ghost Road sites, historic settlements, museums and a rusty rider looking for a fun way to see the . St James Cycle Trail . West Coast Wilderness Trail galleries. There are plenty of opportunities to sights, or a mad-keen mountain biker up for a . Alps Ocean Cycle Trail Invercargill experience other activities along the way, from challenging adventure. Every day is a special . The Queenstown Trail . Otago Central Rail Trail walking, wildlife watching and scenic flights, to journey on the New Zealand Cycle Trail. Roxburgh Gorge Trail . Clutha Gold Trail indulging in hot pools, fine dining and wine tours. Around the Mountains Download this guide and the New Zealand Walking Guide from www.newzealand.com. Tasman's Great Taste Trail RIDING THE NEW ZEALAND CYCLE TRAIL WHICH TRAIL SHOULD I CHOOSE? HOW ARE THE TRAILS GRADED? WHAT KIND OF BIKE DO I NEED? WHAT TOURS ARE AVAILABLE? Most Great Rides are multi-day but can easily Each Great Ride is graded from 1 (easiest) to 5 Easy trails can be ridden on an upright hybrid bike Various tours are offered on each of the trails, be split into shorter rides of various lengths and (expert), with some the same grade the whole with knobbly tyres and front suspension, while a ranging from half-day, self-guided rides through levels of difficulty, so there is an enjoyable trip to way and others varying from section to section. mountain bike is recommended for most Grade to fully guided multi-day trips with food and suit every traveller. Trails are mostly off-road but Grade 1 trails are so easy almost anyone can 3 rides and higher. Bike hire depots and cycle accommodation provided. Some tours combine range widely in terrain, from smooth rail trails ride them, while Grade 3 (intermediate) rides tour companies will provide the right bike for the cycling with other popular activities such as and paved pathways to hilly, technical single are best for reasonably fit cyclists and those terrain, helmet (compulsory in New Zealand), hiking and kayaking. Tour companies are listed track. It is important that riders check the trail over 12 years old. Grade 5 is for highly fit, spare tubes and other necessary gear. on the trail websites. grading to make sure it’s the right one for them. experienced cyclists with solid off-road skills. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO RIDE? HOW DO I GET TO THE TRAILS? Most Great Rides can be cycled all year round, Many trails are close to towns and villages, with spring and autumn offering spectacular with conveniently located bike hire depots. colours, and some trails serving up excellent More remote rides are accessed via trailheads winter riding. New Zealand’s changeable climate, with car parks, with local bike shuttles offering however, means it is essential to check current handy drop-offs and pick-ups for those without Hauraki Rail Trail, Coromandel Alps 2 Ocean, Canterbury Motu Trails, Opotiki track conditions and the weather forecast. their own transport. Hawke's Bay Cycle Trails WHERE CAN I STAY? IS THERE FOOD & DRINK ON FITNESS & EXPERIENCE THE TRAILS? There are cycling trails to suit all levels of fitness and experience, including novice riders and Most multi-day trails have a variety of families. Follow the New Zealand Cycle Trail’s grading system to choose the perfect ride: accommodation en route or nearby, with Many trails pass cafés, restaurants and shops. shuttle operators transferring luggage between In fact, sampling local food and wine is a major overnight stops. Many trails can also be ridden highlight of many Great Rides. Others, however, as day trips, offering the convenience of basing traverse remote countryside with no services GRADE 1 (Easiest) GRADE 2 (Easy) GRADE 3 GRADE 4 (Advanced) yourself in one place. whatsoever, so riders need to plan well and Suitable for all riders. Suitable for most (Intermediate) Suitable for carry appropriate supplies of food and water. Mostly off-road trails riders. Mostly Suitable for experienced cyclists WHAT DO THEY COST? wide enough for side- off-road trails wide reasonably fit and with good skills, and by-side riding, with enough for riding capable riders. Most a high level of fitness. Thanks to government funding and significant some gentle climbs. two abreast, some of the trail is single Off-road trails are support from local communities, almost all of sections may require file, and / or the narrow with steep the Great Rides are free. Visitors can contribute riding single file. surface is rough, with climbs and unavoidable to the maintenance and development of the Surfaces are generally hills. Some sections obstacles. Hill climbs trails by making a donation or paying the smooth, with some may be on-road with and possible gravel modest cost of track permits. The Old Ghost Road, West Coast gentle hills. open road traffic. sections. HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL Easiest–Easy (1–2) Explore verdant countryside, a bushy 3–4 days gorge, rusty relics and old gold towns. 173 km A Great Ride for all ages, this trail follows historic railway lines Video available on between quiet country towns within easy reach of Auckland newzealand.com and The Coromandel. With gentle terrain and an abundance of accommodation, cafés and restaurants, this is one of the GETTING THERE easiest and most satisfying cycle trails in the North Island. 1 hr from Auckland The northern section of the trail skirts the Hauraki Gulf 10 mins from Waihi from Kaiaua to Thames, taking cyclists past one of the most important coastal areas for shorebirds in New Zealand. From 5 mins from Thames Thames it’s a leisurely cruise through lush farmland to Paeroa and on to Te Aroha, famed for its therapeutic hot pools. There are memorable views of the Hauraki Plains and forested Kaimai Ranges the whole way. Auckland The trail’s highlight is Karangahake Gorge – a rocky ravine hiding Thames Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Northland intriguing gold mining relics and spooky tunnels. The gorge can Paeroa Waihi be reached via vintage railway from Waihi to Waikino Station where there’s a great café and bike hire. Te Aroha TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL Easiest–Easy (1–2) haurakirailtrail.co.nz A leisurely ride between peaceful Hokianga 1–2 days Harbour and beautiful Bay of Islands. 87 km Video available on Breathtaking coastal views, wetlands, native forest and rolling newzealand.com countryside can all be enjoyed on this coast-to-coast ride between the popular Bay of Islands and peaceful Hokianga GETTING THERE Harbour. Following smooth rail trail, dedicated cycle paths and back roads, it offers an opportunity to visit significant cultural 4 hours from Auckland sites such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds near Paihia as well as 45 mins from Whangarei welcoming small towns like Kawakawa and Kaikohe. 15 mins from Paihia A rewarding day ride can be had between Opua marina and Kawakawa, with the option of boarding a vintage train at charming Taumarare Station. Kerikeri Horeke Paihia There are plenty of accommodation options and restaurants on and near the trail, particularly around the Bay of Islands Whangarei end. And thanks to Northland’s sub-tropical climate, this trail offers great riding all year round. twincoastcycletrail.kiwi.nz Hauraki Rail Trail, Coromandel Nearby Attractions • Historic Russell • Waipoua kauri forest • Ninety Mile Beach Nearby Attractions • East Coast beaches • Driving Creek Railway • Waihi Gold Discovery Centre THE TIMBER TRAIL Easy–Intermediate (2–3) Ancient forest, thrilling suspension bridges 1–2 days and intriguing timber-milling relics. 85 km Video available on Located in the heart of the North Island, Pureora Forest Park is newzealand.com an enchanting mix of virgin, regenerating and exotic forest rich in natural and human history. GETTING THERE The Timber Trail traverses this remote wilderness, following 3 hrs 15 mins from Auckland historic logging roads and bush tramlines, linked with flowing purpose-built track and some of New Zealand’s longest and 1 hr from Taupō highest suspensions bridges.