Find Your Ride

GREAT RIDES OF NEW ZEALAND

Showcasing some of New Zealand’s most amazing landscapes, our 23 Great Rides are an exciting and environmentally sustainable way to reach must-see sights and activities.

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twin coast

Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail

Grade

Easiest: 75%

Easy: 20%

Intermediate: 5%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Northland
Clock Black 87km / 2 days
Star Black bicultural heritage / varied scenery / warm hospitality
NZ map

Stretching between the Bay of Islands and Hokianga Harbour, Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail reveals pretty coastal and inland scenery, and the stories of how Aotearoa New Zealand came to be.

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Hauraki Rail Trail Sect E Cherry Blossoms credit Hauraki Rail Trail

Hauraki Rail Trail

Grade

Easiest: 98%

Easy: 2%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Waikato
Clock Black 160km / 1–5 days
Star Black Shorebird Coast / Karangahake Gorge / rural country & towns
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT. Click > for details. This cruisy ride around the coast and through countryside offers close encounters with rare birds, rural life, a bushy gorge full of gold mining history, and the chan…

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waikato river 1

Waikato River Trails

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 46%

Advanced: 54%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Waikato
Clock Black 104km / 1–4 days
Star Black river & lake scenery / elegant hydro dams / forest & wetlands
NZ map

Cycle alongside New Zealand’s longest river to survey ever-changing scenery and a series of landmarks including striking hydro dams, pretty suspension bridges and volcanic rockforms.

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motu trail credit Neil Robert Hutton Photography

Motu Trails

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 12%

Intermediate: 71%

Advanced: 17%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Eastland / Bay of Plenty
Clock Black 121km / 1–3 days
Star Black beaches / forest & hill country / Māori & European history
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT: Click > for details. Rolling along Pacific Coast sand dunes, and into remote valleys and forest, these diverse trails explore a quiet corner of the Bay of Plenty and Eastland.

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Whakarewarewa Forest Loop 1981 credit Graeme Murray

Whakarewarewa Forest Loop

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 95%

Intermediate: 5%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Bay of Plenty
Clock Black 33km / 1 day (3–5 hours)
Star Black Exotic & native forest / volcanic lakeland views / Māori art & culture
NZ map

This fun, mostly easy loop is a great way to see the sights of Whakarewarewa Forest – Rotorua’s beloved backyard and a world-famous mountain bike mecca with rides for most abilities.

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hawkes bay

Hawke's Bay Trails

Grade

Easiest: 70%

Easy: 20%

Intermediate: 10%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Hawke's Bay
Clock Black 200km / 1–4 days
Star Black coast & countryside / food & wine / architecture
NZ map

Following dedicated cycle paths and the occasional country road, this delightful trail network traces the coast from Bay View in the north to Cape Kidnappers in the south, and ventures inland through …

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great lake

Great Lake Trails

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 100%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Central North Island
Clock Black 88km / 1–3 days
Star Black waterfalls & forest / epic lake views / flowing singletrack
NZ map

Explore the remote forested shores, valleys and headlands along the edge of Lake Taupō, with massive views across to the peaks of Tongariro National Park.

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timber trail v2

Timber Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 64%

Intermediate: 36%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Central North Island
Clock Black 85km / 2 days
Star Black ancient forest / suspension bridges / fascinating history
NZ map

Cycle amidst mighty trees on a trail that also boasts rare birdlife, lofty suspension bridges and intriguing timber-milling relics.

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Mountains to Sea cyclists on Bridge to Nowhere Martyn Davies

Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 93%

Advanced: 7%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Ruapehu and Whanganui
Clock Black 231km / 1–6 days
Star Black volcanic mountains / remote river valleys / wild ocean
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TRAIL ALERT: Click > for details. Tongariro National Park’s volcanoes and magical Whanganui River wilderness are just two compelling reasons to ride this truly epic trail.

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remutaka cycle

Remutaka Cycle Trail

Grade

Easiest: 15%

Easy: 27%

Intermediate: 42%

Advanced: 16%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Wellington/Wairarapa
Clock Black 125km / 2–3 days
Star Black historic rail trail / varied scenery / wine country
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT: WILD COAST SECTION CLOSED. Click > for more details. Explore Wellington and the Wairarapa’s wild side on this ride over the Remutaka Ranges and around the rugged Pacific coast.

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queen charlotte

Queen Charlotte Track

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 62%

Advanced: 28%

Expert: 10%

Location Black Marlborough
Clock Black 73.5km / 2–3 days
Star Black Sounds views / coastal forest / waterside resorts
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS. Click > for more details. A New Zealand classic, this track traces bays, hills and ridges for ever-changing vistas of the spectacular Marlborough Sounds.

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dun mountain 1

Coppermine Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 75%

Advanced: 25%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Nelson/Tasman
Clock Black 43km / 1 day (4–6 hours)
Star Black epic panoramas / alpine tops / awesome downhill
NZ map

Head up into the hills behind Nelson city for a grand tour of forested valleys, rocky mountaintops and a meandering riverside trail.

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tasmans great taste

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 63%

Intermediate: 37%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Nelson/Tasman
Clock Black 200km / 1–4 days
Star Black coastal & rural scenery / food, wine & art / seaside vibe
NZ map

Enjoy a leisurely tour along sparkling coastline and through picturesque countryside dotted with galleries, vineyards and restaurants.

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old ghost road

The Old Ghost Road

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 92%

Expert: 8%

Location Black West Coast
Clock Black 85km / 2–4 days
Star Black mountain views / wild valleys / riveting history
NZ map

Fit, intrepid riders need look no further for New Zealand’s ultimate wilderness adventure – 85 kilometres of epic singletrack snaking through remote valleys and over a spectacular mountain range.

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west coast wilderness 1

West Coast Wilderness Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 70%

Intermediate: 30%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black West Coast
Clock Black 133km / 4–5 days
Star Black ocean, rainforest & lakes / mountain views / rich heritage
NZ map

Explore the wild West Coast on a heritage trail amidst rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes and rugged beaches – all flanked by the stunning panoramas of the mighty Southern Alps.

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st james

St James Cycle Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 8%

Intermediate: 60%

Advanced: 20%

Expert: 12%

Location Black Canterbury
Clock Black 60km / 1–2 days
Star Black alpine views / wild rivers & hidden lakes / farming heritage
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT: Click > for more details. This challenging trail takes riders through the remote St James Conservation Area with its soaring peaks, broad river valleys, and captivating farming heritage.

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before to section

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 78%

Intermediate: 22%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Mackenzie Country, Waitaki Valley, North Otago
Clock Black 315km / 1–7 days
Star Black Southern Alps vistas / surreal blue lakes / country towns
NZ map

New Zealand’s longest Great Ride serves up epic vistas on its way from the foot of the Southern Alps all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

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Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail Image 4a copyright bennettandslater.co.nz

Lake Dunstan Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 75%

Intermediate: 25%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Otago
Clock Black 41km / 5–8 hours
Star Black Central Otago landscapes / heritage towns / dining & wine-tasting
NZ map

Winding along the edge of Lake Dunstan and the Kawarau and Clutha Mata-au rivers, this day-ride serves up spectacular Central Otago scenery, food and wine, and fascinating history.

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otago central rail

Otago Central Rail Trail

Grade

Easiest: 100%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Otago
Clock Black 152km / 1–5 days
Star Black epic landscapes / pioneer history / easy riding
NZ map

New Zealand’s original Great Ride follows an old railway line through beautiful, big-sky country with the bonus of legendary hospitality.

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roxburgh gorge

Roxburgh Gorge Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 90%

Intermediate: 10%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Otago
Clock Black 21km / 1 day
Star Black spectacular geology / gold rush heritage / jet boat tour
NZ map

Following the mighty Clutha Mata-au River through a hidden gorge, this trail reveals pioneer stories and an otherworldly landscape of incredible natural beauty.

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clutha gold

Clutha Gold Trail

Grade

Easiest: 50%

Easy: 50%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Otago
Clock Black 73km / 2 Days
Star Black Clutha River / gold mining heritage / country towns
NZ map

Stretching between the pretty rural towns of Roxburgh and Lawrence, the Clutha Gold Trail winds through the changing landscapes and colourful history of the mighty Clutha Mata-au River.

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queenstown trail

Queenstown Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 60%

Intermediate: 30%

Advanced: 10%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Otago
Clock Black 138km / 1–4 days
Star Black alpine grandeur / wineries & cafes / pioneer history
NZ map

TRAIL ALERT: SECTION CLOSED. Click > for more details. Offering everything from easy lakeside jaunts to all-day adventures around the Wakatipu Basin, the Queenstown Trail serves up sublime scenery whi…

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Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Lake Wakatipu credit Tourism New Zealand

Around the Mountains Cycle Trail

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 58%

Intermediate: 42%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Location Black Southland and Otago
Clock Black 186km / 3–5 days
Star Black lake & mountain vistas / country towns / scenic cruise
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Immerse yourself in mountain and lake scenery on this journey through secluded valleys, rustic farmland and charming Southland country towns.

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