Explore NZ by bike

18 Great Rides will make up Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail, a national project to build a network of world class trails. We've put together a list of tracks and mountain biking destinations in Godzone.

By Bookabach staff

The New Zealand Cycle Trail (Nga Haerenga) is an exciting Government initiative that will link existing and new cycle tracks all over NZ. The finished trail will stretch 3000km and will showcase the very best that our country has to offer.

However, it’s a little way off completion, with two-thirds expected to be finished by the end of 2011. In the meantime, there are hundreds – thousands – of bike tracks around the country, through sand dunes, around city bays and city streets, over hills and former railway lines.

It takes roughly a month to bike the length of New Zealand, if you’re up to cycling 100 kilometres a day. The trip from Cape Reinga to Bluff is 2400km – longer if you want to avoid the main highways.

We’ve put together a sample of tracks throughout New Zealand, with four ‘Great Rides’ that have already been completed by Nga Haerena topping the list. Then there are lots of our favourite rides, and finally a few of the mountain biking parks we love to hurtle about in. It’s by no means comprehensive, but will give you some idea of what’s out there, with links to more detailed resources.

We’ve included tracks for extreme mountain bikers, those suitable for children and beginners, and plenty in between. If you’re really adventurous, you might want to try helibiking, and explore the mountains at the same time. Don’t try this at home!

You don’t have to treat cycling as a sport, of course; there are alternatives, like cycle tours of wineries in most of the main wine regions – Marlborough is a favourite, probably due its gentler terrain. There’s a movement dedicated to bringing back utility cycling, and another to bring glamour back to cycling.

You don’t have to treat cycling as a sport, of course; there are alternatives, like cycle tours of wineries in most of the main wine regions – Marlborough is a favourite, probably due its gentler terrain. There’s a movement dedicated to bringing back utility cycling, and another to bring glamour back to cycling.

Most of you, though, will be pedaling a mountain bike, a hybrid or a road bike, and if you’re planning a ride of more than a couple of hours, it pays to put in some practice. A track like New Zealand’s best-known bike trail, the Otago Rail Trail, is a popular holiday activity for families, but you still don’t want to attempt it before racking up a few hours in the saddle beforehand.

And if cycling’s not cycling unless you’re decked out in lycra, go ahead. We won’t laugh. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on gear. Waterproof clothing and protective shoes and gloves are a good start, and chances are you can rent a bike and helmet from the local bike/sports shop.

Four Nga Haerenga ‘Great Rides’

Waikato

The Waikato River Trails stretch 100km along New Zealand’s longest river. From Atiamuri to the upper end of Lake Karapiro the route takes in five lakes, four hydro dams and some cute villages. You’ll ride through native and exotic bush, see some amazing rock formations, and marvel at glorious lake and river views.

Ruapehu

The Mountains To Sea cycle trail runs from the Central Plateau to the coast at Whanganui. The trail will have a length of 317 kms, taking 4-6 days to ride; it is now 97% complete. The Ohakune Old Coach Road is a great section to use as a day ride. If you get a lift to Horopito, you can do it as an enjoyable 15km ride, taking 3 hours, with stops for photos, and reading all the interesting signs about the history of the railway and coach road along the way. Wonderful scenery and forest, fascinating history and railway viaducts make this a unique ride. The trail finishes conveniently at the Station Cafe in Ohakune. Another superb section of the Mountains to Sea trail is the Bridge To Nowhere, an adventure ride down the Mangapurua Track down to the Bridge To Nowhere, built in 1936 and now surrounded by bush. The trail finishes 3kms further on at the Mangapurua Landing, where a jet boat, prebooked, can take you to Pipiriki. This ride is best done in summer, and takes 5-7 hours generally.

Nelson

The 38km Dun Mountain Trail begins in Nelson and follows the route of New Zealand’s first railway line. It’s an intermediate trail. There’s forest, an alpine region, and a stretch of the Maitai River to ride along before heading back into Nelson.

Central South Island

The 64 km-long St James Trail is the most challenging of the new Great Rides, and is for experienced riders only. But you’ll be rewarded with iconic scenery, including spectacular river valleys, high-country lakes, grassland valleys and beech forest. It’ll take you roughly 10 hours, but there are four huts along the way, so you can stay a night or two. A delicious drawcard for tired muscle: stop off for a soak in the Hanmer Springs hot pools on the way home!

Some of our other favourite rides

South Island

Otago Rail Trail

Opened in 2000, the Otago Rail Trail covers 150 kilometres of what was formerly the Otago Central Railway line. You can do it in three days, but most people take four (it’s also walkable, which takes five). The track’s suitable for children and older people and it’s free - but you do need to book, especially during holidays. Accommodation is available in most of the small towns along the route. 
More info | Where to stay: Central Otago

Moke Lake, Queenstown

22.77km, Intermediate.
More info | Where to stay: Queenstown Lakes

Tiropahi Tram Track, Charleston, West Coast

25km loop, Average.
More info | Where to stay: West Coast

Bottle Lake Forest Park, Canterbury

Round trips range from 30 minutes to 2 hours-plus. Easy–moderate.
More info | Where to stay: Canterbury

Little River Rail Trail, Christchurch

21km. Easy–moderate.
More info | Where to stay: Selwyn District

Takaka Hill: Rameka Track, Nelson

19.06km. Medium.
More info | Where to stay: Golden Bay

Wakamarina, Blenheim, Marlborough

25.83km. Difficult.
More info | Where to stay: Marlborough

North Island

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Loop, Wellington

11km loop. Average–Difficult.
More info Where to stay: Wellington

Cape Palliser, South Wairarapa

12.37km coastal track.
More info | Where to stay: Wairarapa

Central Plateau

From the gentle terrain of the Ohakune Old Coach Road to the steep Ohakune Mountain Road, and the Grand 42 Traverse.
More info | Where to stay: Central Plateau
See also Ruapehu Great Bike Rides

Wanganui River Road, Wanganui

118km ride from Ohakune to Wanganui takes one to two days.
More info | Where to stay: Wanganui

Waitarere Forest, Manawatu

20.79km. Intermediate.
More info | Where to stay: Manawatu-Wanganui

Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth

7km. Easy ride along beachside paths.
More info | Where to stay: New Plymouth

Northwestern Cycle Route

A 9km track that links west Auckland with the city centre, along the North-western motorway.
More info
For getting around Auckland by bike, see Maxx’s website or check out Project Twin Streams cycle ways in West Auckland.

Kerikeri Historic Trail, Northland

20-60 mins. Easy.
More info | Where to stay: Kerikeri

Mountain Bike Parks

Sandy Point Mountain Bike Track, Invercargill

Various tracks along beaches and rivers.
More info | Where to stay: Southland

Port Hills Tracks, Christchurch

1.3km to 21.3km 20 cross-country tracks, three downhill. Moderate–extreme.
More info | Where to stay: Christchurch

Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

Some of the country’s best mountain bike tracks. 36 tracks of varying difficulty. (NOTE: When Bookabach staff last rode here, in March 2012, many fantastic trails, such as Be Rude Not To and surrounding runs, had been damaged or made inaccessible by logging. We suggest going in to the forest from the Waipa State Mill entrance and asking the friendly folk at Mountain Bike Rotorua for trail advice. There’s a shuttle pick up there too, so take some cash and you can get a lift up to the top and ride down on glorious trails such as Split Enz. The new Waipa Store Cafe is right there too; set up in an artfully decorated shipping container, it has great food and coffee, very welcome after your ride.)
More info | Where to stay: Rotorua
See also Rotorua Mountain Bike Club

Whirinaki Forest Mountain Bike Tracks, Taupo

16km. Medium, various – ride through stunning ancient bush.
More info | Where to stay: Lake Taupo

Wairakei MTB Park, Taupo

A great range of rides through a variety of forest and bush. Near Huka Falls and Craters of the Moon.
More info | Where to stay: Lake Taupo

Eskdale Mountain Bike Park, Hawke’s Bay

80km of trails plus forestry roads. All levels.
More info | Where to stay: Hawke’s Bay

Whataupoko Park, Langford Fallon Reserve, Gisborne

7km of varied trails through established parkland. Easy-moderate.
More info | Where to stay: Gisborne

Te Miro Forest Mountain Bike Track, Waikato

A network of tracks covering close to 7km, between Cambridge and Morrinsville.
More info | Where to stay: Waikato

Whitianga Bike Park, Coromandel

Free cycling on various trails, within a 17-hectare park.
More info | Where to stay: Coromandel

Woodhill Forest, West Auckland

The region’s best known mountain biking area, by Muriwai Beach, with more than 50 trails and 150km of single track and the park’s open all year round.
More info | Where to stay: Auckland

Glenbervie Forest, Whangarei

37 different trails. 
More info | Where to stay: Whangarei District

More info

For more detailed information, discussions and advice from the experts, take a look at these sites:
The New Zealand Cycle Trail (Nga Haerenga) - official website
BikeNZ
Mountain Biking New Zealand
Torpedo7
Tracks
bikemap