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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 75%

Easy: 20%

Intermediate: 5%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Northland
87km / 2 days
bicultural heritage / varied scenery / warm hospitality
NZ map

Stretching between the Bay of Islands and Hokianga Harbour, Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail Great Ride reveals pretty coastal and inland scenery, and the stories of how Aotearoa New Zealand c…

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HRT hero replacement

Hauraki Rail Trail Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 98%

Easy: 2%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Waikato
160km / 1–5 days
Shorebird Coast / Karangahake Gorge / rural country & towns
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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 chance to get your Lord of the Rings f…

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waikato river 1

Waikato River Trails Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 46%

Advanced: 54%

Expert: 0%

Waikato
104km / 1–4 days
river & lake scenery / elegant hydro dams / forest & wetlands
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 12%

Intermediate: 71%

Advanced: 17%

Expert: 0%

Eastland / Bay of Plenty
121km / 1–3 days
beaches / forest & hill country / Māori & European history
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 95%

Intermediate: 5%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Bay of Plenty
33km / 1 day (3–5 hours)
Exotic & native forest / volcanic lakeland views / Māori art & culture
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 82%

Easy: 12%

Intermediate: 6%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Hawke's Bay
177km / 1–4 days
coast & countryside / food & wine / architecture
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 100%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Central North Island
88km / 1–3 days
waterfalls & forest / epic lake views / flowing singletrack
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 100%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Central North Island
85km / 2 days
ancient forest / suspension bridges / fascinating history
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Cycle among 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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 93%

Advanced: 7%

Expert: 0%

Ruapehu and Whanganui
231km / 1–6 days
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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 15%

Easy: 27%

Intermediate: 42%

Advanced: 16%

Expert: 0%

Wellington/Wairarapa
125km / 2–3 days
historic rail trail / varied scenery / wine country
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 62%

Advanced: 28%

Expert: 10%

Marlborough
73.5km / 2–3 days
Sounds views / coastal forest / waterside resorts
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Incredibly beautiful and rich in human history, the Marlborough Sounds is a magical place of deep blue bays, beaches, forest and view-filled ridgelines. The Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride takes visi…

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dun mountain 1

Coppermine Trail Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 75%

Advanced: 25%

Expert: 0%

Nelson/Tasman
43km / 1 day (4–6 hours)
epic panoramas / alpine tops / awesome downhill
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 63%

Intermediate: 37%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Nelson/Tasman
200km / 1–4 days
coastal & rural scenery / food, wine & art / seaside vibe
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 92%

Expert: 8%

West Coast
85km / 2–4 days
mountain views / wild valleys / riveting history
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 70%

Intermediate: 30%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

West Coast
133km / 4–5 days
ocean, rainforest & lakes / mountain views / rich heritage
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 8%

Intermediate: 60%

Advanced: 20%

Expert: 12%

Canterbury
60km / 1–2 days
alpine views / wild rivers & hidden lakes / farming heritage
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 78%

Intermediate: 22%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Mackenzie Country, Waitaki Valley, North Otago
315km / 1–7 days
Southern Alps vistas / surreal blue lakes / country towns
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 75%

Intermediate: 25%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Otago
41km / 5–8 hours
Central Otago landscapes / heritage towns / dining & wine-tasting
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 100%

Easy: 0%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Otago
152km / 1–5 days
epic landscapes / pioneer history / easy riding
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 90%

Intermediate: 10%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Otago
21km / 1 day
spectacular geology / gold rush heritage / jet boat tour
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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 Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 50%

Easy: 50%

Intermediate: 0%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Otago
135km / 2-4 days
Clutha River / gold mining heritage / country towns
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Stretching between the pretty rural towns of Roxburgh and Lawrence through to the protected wetland haven of Lake Waihola, the Clutha Gold Trail Great Ride winds through the changing landscapes and co…

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queenstown trail

Queenstown Trail Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 60%

Intermediate: 30%

Advanced: 10%

Expert: 0%

Otago
138km / 1–4 days
alpine grandeur / wineries & cafes / pioneer history
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Offering everything from easy lakeside jaunts to all-day adventures around the Wakatipu Basin, the Queenstown Trail Great Ride serves up sublime scenery while linking many of the region's famous attra…

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Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Lake Wakatipu credit Tourism New Zealand

Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Great Ride

Grade

Easiest: 0%

Easy: 58%

Intermediate: 42%

Advanced: 0%

Expert: 0%

Southland and Otago
186km / 3–5 days
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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