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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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