Spectacular scenery
There are 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand. We have selected six epic Great Rides in the South Island below. All offer up scenic splendour with a mix of rugged peaks, high country, spectacular gorges, and crystal clear lakes and rivers.
St James Cycle Trail Great Ride
Picture a journey through magnificent high country, complete with soaring peaks, broad river valleys and rustic farming heritage and that sums up the remote St James Cycle Trail Great Ride. Graded intermediate and centred on two vast valleys, the massive 78,000-hectare St James Station the trail is named after was one of New Zealand’s largest high country farms.
The nearest town is Hanmer, about a two-hour drive away from Christchurch airport. The Interislander ferry port of Picton is four hours' drive.
Queenstown Trail Great Ride
Surrounded by sheer mountain ranges and sublime scenery, the Queenstown Trail Great Ride showcases the Whakatipu Basin on a mix of mostly easy lakeside paths, country lanes, quiet roads and cross-country cycleways.
Access to this amazing network of trails is easy via Queenstown airport.
Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride
Make a day of it on the Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride, which clings closely to the shores of Lake Dunstan and at times traverses on to clip-on boardwalks clipped to the cliffs. Following in gold miners and dam builders' footsteps trail highlights also include an 86m suspension bridge and impressive rock walls.
It's a short drive from Queenstown airport or 2.5 hours from Dunedin to this mostly easy trail.
Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride
The Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride follows the mighty Clutha-Mata-au River and parts of a historic rail line and finishes up at a beautiful inland tidal lake. En-route the ever-changing scenery on this mostly easy trail will take you past rock forms, farming country , historic towns, old rail tunnels and a spectacular gorge.
Depending on where you start or finish, times vary from the nearest airports Dunedin, Invercargill or Queenstown.
Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride
The ethereal Roxburgh Gorge Trail Great Ride is a visually spectacular and intriguing day ride. The easy trail follows the Clutha Mata-au River and Lake Roxburgh through an otherworldly gorge flanked by steep rugged cliffs and historic gold mining sites.
There's also an exciting jetboat transfer from one part of the trail to another in the middle and it ends at Roxburgh Dam.
Depending where you start and finish this ride, times vary from the closest airports Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.
Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride
At the bottom of the South Island is the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride. Graded a mix of easy and intermediate levels, it's a trail that boasts everything from alpine vistas, spellbinding lakes, sections through forests and alongside rivers to high country farmland and historic townships.
Fly into Queenstown airport to start the trail. Alternatively, you can also fly into Invercargill airport and drive up.
