Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail Great Ride

Fly into Auckland 

Venture north of Auckland to Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail Great Ride, a scenically spectacular journey from the Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour. It serves up a mix of relaxing riding with some seriously significant heritage sites, vintage train experiences and stories. 

In the opposite direction, south of Auckland, is the laidback Hauraki Rail Trail Great Ride. It traces the Shorebird Coast and follows old railway lines between the historic gold towns of Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Waihi and Matamata. 

From there experience the North Island’s rural heartland on the Waikato River Trails Great Ride. The trail follows a stretch of New Zealand’s longest river, the mighty Waikato River, as it flows through striking hydro dams and pools into tranquil lakes. 

Exchange riverside cycling for the seaside over on the eastern Bay of Plenty’s Motu Trails Great Ride. Made up of three wildly different rides, these trails have something for everyone, from easy rides along the stunning Pacific coast to classic singletrack following a historic byway through bushy backcountry. 

The central North Island offers up a handful of Great Rides. Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride is a great way to see the sights of Whakarewarewa Forest - Rotorua’s beloved backyard and a world-famous mountain bike mecca. 

Forty-five minutes south is Taupō, home to the Great Lake Trails Great Ride. Explore the remote forested shores, valleys and headlands along the edge of Lake Taupō, with stunning views across to the peaks of Tongariro National Park. 

The nearby Timber Trail Great Ride is in the heart of the North Island, in Pureora Forest Park. Set among mighty trees, it also boasts rare birdlife, lofty suspension bridges and intriguing timber-milling relics. 

Not far from the Timber Trail is the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride, which starts on the slopes of a live volcano and travels through two national parks, rolling hill country and remote river gorges before finishing at the deep blue Tasman Sea.

Hawke's Bay Trails Great Ride

Fly into Wellington

It's a four to five-hour drive from New Zealand's capital to the sunny Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s second largest wine region. There you'll find almost 200km of trails that make up the Hawke’s Bay Trails Great Ride. The trails trace the coast and meander inland through idyllic rural and riverside scenery – not to mention world-class wineries. 

Near Wellington itself is the nearby Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride. Linking Wellington with the Wairarapa, the trail travels the length of the Hutt Valley along the river and over the Remutaka Ranges following a historic railway route before looping back to the capital via the rugged wild coast. 

From Wellington, cross the Cook Strait to the South Island with Interislander ferry and experience 3.5 hours of breathtaking scenery you can only see from the water - perfect for unwinding between rides. 

On arrival, jump on a water taxi and head to the Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride in the spectacular Marlborough Sounds. Starting in a remote, historic cove, this New Zealand classic is a magical place of deep blue bays, beaches, forest and view-filled ridgelines. 

It’s a few hours’ drive to the next Great Ride in Nelson. Tasman’s Great Taste Trail Great Ride features a leisurely tour along sparkling coastline and through picturesque countryside dotted with galleries, vineyards and restaurants. 

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

For fit, intrepid riders Old Ghost Road Great Ride isn’t far away either. Dubbed New Zealand’s ultimate wilderness adventure, it boasts 85km of epic singletrack snaking through remote valleys and over a spectacular mountain range.  

West Coast Wilderness Trail Great Ride

Fly into Christchurch

Take a well-deserved break and travel down the wild West Coast where you’ll find the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail Great Ride. 

This heritage trail is set among rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes and rugged beaches, all flanked by the stunning panoramas of the mighty Southern Alps. 

To get there, from Christchurch Airport, drive the great alpine highway from Christchurch to Greymouth that traverses the Southern Alps and passes through the world-famous Arthur’s Pass. Better still, enjoy the spectacular scenery aboard one of the world’s great train journeys, the iconic TranzAlpine train. 

From what is fondly known as the “garden city”, Christchurch, you can also check out the remote St James Cycle Trail Great Ride. An important travel route for early Māori, it's a challenging journey through magnificent high country complete with soaring peaks, broad river valleys and rustic farming heritage.  

The world-famous Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Great Ride is a must-do and it's a four-hour drive from Christchurch to get to the start at Mt Cook village. You can also drive just over three hours from Queenstown to the beginning of Alps 2 Ocean.

New Zealand’s longest ride serves up epic vistas, including Aotearoa’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook, on its way from the foot of the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. 

Shotover Gorge Trail, part of the Queenstown Trails network

Fly into Queenstown

In the adventure capital of Queenstown is the Queenstown Trails Great Ride. Surrounded by sheer mountain ranges, this network of off-road trails meander along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on a mix of lakeside paths, country lanes, quiet roads and cross-country cycleways. 

Further south in the Otago region are five Great Rides. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride and Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride offer spectacular journeys along the banks of the mighty Mata Au - Clutha River through dramatic gorges and past historic old goldfields.  

The Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride winds through the awe-inspiring Cromwell Gorge and connects to the Otago Central Rail Trail Great Ride, New Zealand’s first Great Ride. It follows an old railway line through beautiful, big-sky country with legendary hospitality along the way. 

From the bustling energy of Queenstown, you can also journey on to the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride. It serves up serene agricultural landscapes. Enjoy mountain and lake scenery on a journey through secluded valleys, rustic farmland and charming Southland country towns. 

With 23 Great Rides to choose from – all with numerous off-trail attractions and activities to boot – start planning your next adventure and tackle the trails at your pace.