New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides Are A Bike Touring Dream

Did you know that New Zealand has more Great Rides than its 10 famous Great Walks? More than double in fact! Michelle breaks down each route so you can find the NZ cycling adventure of your dreams.

Photo by Lee Slater

One of the best ways to explore New Zealand and immerse yourself in the stunning natural environment and culture is by bike.

With the growing popularity of e-bikes, it’s become even easier to include one (or a few!) of the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand into a cycling holiday. From beginners to experienced adventurers of all ages and abilities, people are hitting the trails on two wheels, and we love it.

Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Mountain Biking

By Tim Hawkins

An adventure to Aotearoa is always a good idea, and there are heaps of options for cycling tours across the North and South Island at all times of the year.

We’ve organised the Great Rides of New Zealand into beginner and family-friendly, intermediate, advanced, and spicy, for experienced riders hunting the technical challenge, adrenaline, and the ultimate feeling of freedom the expansive New Zealand landscapes have to offer.

The Great Rides travel through gorgeous environments, but they’re not bikepacking or bike touring trips where you have to carry everything with you. Even the remote ones have lodges to stay at. This means a lighter bike and a great night’s sleep, ready to get out there day after day.

Whether you’re wanting to connect with friends on a memorable getaway or take time out to connect with nature, there’s a Great Ride to suit all experiences, tastes, and abilities.

Read more: Mountain Biking Slang 101

Via Marlborough NZ

The 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand (Ngā Haerenga means ‘The Journeys’) are spread throughout the country.

They’re mostly off-road adventures that blend world-class scenery, culture, and heritage, attractions, as well as food and wine if you’re partial.

Safety, Grades, and Planning

Always check the trail’s website or social media channels for updates before planning and travelling. The Great Rides website has more detailed grade information to understand whether your fitness, experience, and skills are suitable for your desired ride.

Some of the Great Rides have been organised into more experienced categories as it’s needed for the full ride, but each of the Great Rides are able to be done in sections to cater to all ages, abilities, and experience levels.

Smooth, flat, wide paths tend to be Grade 1 and 2. Grade 3s are intermediate trails and tend to have moderate hills and some rougher terrain. Grade 4 and 5 are more suited to mountain bikers as they may cover steep, rugged, remote terrain.

Learn more about New Zealand bike touring safety.

Beginner and Family-Friendly Trails

1. Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Trail

North Island

Grade: Mostly grade 1, some 2 and 3
Location: Northland
Distance: 87km
Days: 2
Highlights: Bicultural heritage, varied scenery, warm hospitality

This trail reveals pretty coastal and inland scenery, and the stories of how Aotearoa/New Zealand came to be. Following a smooth rail trail, cycle paths, wetland boardwalk, suspension bridges, and country roads, it can be ridden in either direction or broken into smaller day trips.

By Ruth Lawton

Learn more about the Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Trail.

2. Hauraki Rail Trail

North Island

Grade: Almost all Grade 1
Location: Waikato
Distance: 160km
Days: 1–5 days
Highlights: Shorebird Coast, Karangahake Gorge, rural country and towns

This laid-back trail follows old railway lines between the historic gold towns. It’s a flat, easy ride offering contrasting scenes, from the salt-licked Firth of Thames with its notable birdlife, to the verdant Hauraki Plains, and a flinty gorge strewn with intriguing gold mining relics.

3. Otago Central Rail Trail

South Island

Grade: 1
Location: Otago
Distance: 152km
Days: 1-5
Highlights: Epic landscapes, pioneer history, easy riding

New Zealand’s original Great Ride follows an old railway line through beautiful, big-sky country. The classic experience is to ride it over several days, but the trail can be easily broken into shorter rides to suit individual interests and itineraries.

By Tim Hawkins

There’s so much to see and do on and near the trail, including railway bridges and tunnels, abandoned gold diggings, and historic architecture from art deco municipal buildings to rustic farm yards. There’s also plenty of opportunity to taste Otago’s local flavours in country cafes and wineries.

4. Roxburgh Gorge Trail

South Island

Grade: Mostly Grade 2
Location: Otago
Distance: 21km
Days: 1
Highlights: Spectacular geology, gold rush heritage, jet boat tour

Following the Clutha Mata-au River through a hidden gorge, this trail reveals pioneer stories and incredible natural beauty. Lake Roxburgh is flanked by steep, rugged cliffs, and historic gold mining sites.

By Bennett & Slater

The gorge by the Clutha Mata-au River was a primary pathway for early Māori moa hunters who travelled from mountains to sea in their mokihi (reed canoes).

5. Clutha Gold Trail

South Island

Grade: 1 & 2
Location: Otago
Distance: 73km
Days: 2
Highlights: Clutha River, gold mining heritage, country towns

Clutha Gold Trail winds through the changing landscapes and history of the Clutha Mata-au River. This easy trail is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the stunning rural and riverside scenes of Central Otago’s Teviot Valley.

By James Jubb/Tourism Central Otago

There are also day rides to suit all ages, abilities, and interests, and it can be combined with the Roxburgh Gorge Trail upstream.

6. Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

South Island

Grade: Mostly 2, some Grade 3
Location: Mackenzie Country, Waitaki Valley, North Otago
Distance: 315km
Days: 1–7
Highlights: Southern Alps vistas, surreal blue lakes, country towns

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. New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook, is an unforgettable sight on this journey.

By Rachel Gillespie

Braided rivers thread through broad, glacier-carved valleys. Turquoise hydro-lakes nestle into the golden tussock of open high country. Limestone rock litter rolling green farmland. If you’re looking for natural grandeur, this ride will deliver it.

7. Lake Dunstan Trail

South Island

Grade: Mostly 2, some Grade 3
Location: Otago
Distance: 41km
Hours: 5-8
Highlights: Central Otago landscapes, heritage towns, dining and wine-tasting

This day-ride serves up spectacular scenery, food and wine, and history. Along the way, small towns and settlements provide accommodation, pubs and cafes, and easy access to shuttles.

By  Tourism Central Otago – Will Nelson

There are plenty of off-the-bike activities, too, including wine tasting, penguin spotting, glider flights, stargazing, and soaking in hot tubs.

8. Whakarewarewa Forest Loop

North Island

Grade: Almost all grade 2
Location: Bay of Plenty
Distance: 33km
Hours: 3-5
Highlights: Exotic and native forests, volcanic lakeland views, Māori art & culture

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.

This mostly sightseeing tour takes around 3 to 5 hours, passing through a variety of forest types with wonderful vistas of Lake Rotorua and Tikitapu.

Storyboards along the route explain a fiery, volcanic past and rich Māori culture, to the planting of its mighty California Coastal Redwoods.

9. Hawke’s Bay Trails

North Island

Grade: Mostly grade 1 and 2
Location: Hawke’s Bay
Distance: 200km
Days: 1-4
Highlights: Coast and countryside, food and wine, architecture

Following dedicated cycle paths and the occasional country road, this trail ventures inland through rural and riverside scenery. With mostly flat terrain, Hawke’s Bay is brilliant for biking at any time of year.

These trails are the perfect way to explore the region and offer something for everyone, from world-class wineries and wildlife, to art deco architecture, and art galleries.

Intermediate Trails

A good base level of fitness is recommended for these slightly more challenging great rides.

10. Great Lake Trails

North Island

Grade: 3
Location: Central North Island
Distance: 88km
Days: 1-3
Highlights: Waterfalls and forests, epic lake views, flowing single-track

Explore the remote forested shores, valleys, and headlands along the edge of Lake Taupō, with massive views across the peaks of Tongariro National Park.

Winding around the north-western corner of New Zealand’s largest lake, this intermediate, all-seasons trail features lush forest and wetlands, waterfalls, beaches, a volcanic gorge, and ever-changing views from elevated lookouts.

By Cameron Mackenzie

This trail threads around the edge of Lake Taupō, the massive crater formed through one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history. It’s a landscape of spectacular gorges and waterfalls, native forests, and rock gardens. The bays offer picture-perfect picnics and swimming.

11. Timber Trail

North Island

Grade: 2 and 3
Location: Central North Island
Distance: 85km
Days: 2
Highlights: Ancient forest, suspension bridges, fascinating history

Located in the heart of the North Island, Pureora Forest Park is a mix of exotic, regenerating, and precious virgin forests saved by environmentalists in the 1970s.

By Studio Zag

Once the realm of hardcore trampers and hunters, this deep wilderness can now be explored on the trail that reveals not only its awe-inspiring beauty but the story of how this place has changed over the ages.

The trail follows the path of old logging roads and tramlines, linked with purpose-built single-track and a series of suspension bridges.

12. Tasman’s Great Taste Trail

South Island

Grade: 2 and 3
Location: Nelson/Tasman
Distance: 200km
Days: 1-4
Highlights: Coastal & rural scenery, food, wine & art, seaside vibe

Enjoy a leisurely tour along sparkling coastline and through countryside dotted with galleries, vineyards, and restaurants. Its mix of rural, urban, coastal, and riverside scenery.

This trail also serves up art galleries and boutique shopping, fruit stalls, cafes, craft beer pubs, and winery restaurants.

13. Around the Mountains Trail

South Island

Grade: 2 and 3
Location: Southland and Otago
Distance: 186km
Days: 3-5
Highlights: Lake and mountain vistas, country towns, scenic cruise

Immerse yourself in mountain and lake scenery on this journey through secluded valleys, farmland, and Southland country towns.

From the foot of Walter Peak, the trail briefly traces the lakefront, before heading into the wilds of the beautiful Von Valley and past the stunning Mavora Lakes.

Offering easy riding on wide, well-graded paths, the trail is best enjoyed as a 4-5 day journey making the most of local hospitality and the endless mountain views.

14. West Coast Wilderness Trail

South Island

Grade: 2 and 3
Location: West Coast
Distance: 133km
Days: 4-5
Highlights: Ocean, rainforests, lakes, mountain views, rich heritage

Explore the wild West Coast on a heritage trail amidst rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes, and rugged beaches, flanked by the stunning panoramas of the snow-capped Southern Alps.

Easy to reach and to ride, the multi-day trail offers natural wonders revealed along the way, small towns and heritage sites are a chance to dive deep into the region’s fascinating history. Winter’s a great time to ride it.

Advanced Trails

You’ll need some skills for these ones! These trails contain advanced sections, however many sections are more manageable.

15. Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono

North Island

Grade: Mostly 3 with some grade 4
Location: Ruapehu and Whanganu
Distance: 231km
Days: 1-6
Highlights: Volcanic mountains, remote river valleys, wild ocean

Starting on the slopes of a live volcano, this is an epic journey through two national parks, rolling hill country, and remote river gorges and reaches its finale at the deep, blue Tasman Sea.

By Martin Davies

The trail is rich in natural and cultural heritage, from historic railway viaducts, the abandoned Bridge to Nowhere, and old-town architecture of arty Whanganui city, to the volcanic and deep forest wonders of Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks.

A jet boat trip, kayaking, and waterfall walks are some of the extras that can be added into the mix. Completing the entire trail is a challenging and often remote adventure for keen riders, but its varied sections, shuttles, and other services, make day rides easy to organise and enjoy.

16. Waikato River Trails

North Island

Grade: Half grade 3, half grade 4
Location: Waikato
Distance: 104km
Days: 1-4
Highlights: River and lake scenery, hydro dams, forest and wetlands

Note: Forestry work will lead to some closures, check the website for up-to-date details.

Cycle alongside New Zealand’s longest river to survey ever-changing scenery and a series of landmarks including hydro dams, suspension bridges, and volcanic rock forms.

Via Waikato River Trails

This Great Ride through the North Island’s rural heartland follows a stretch of the Waikato River as it flows through hydro dams, and pools into lakes. The trail passes through native forests, wetlands, and recreation reserves.

Mostly smooth and gentle, with some more challenging terrain, the trail is divided into five sections. Multiple access points make it easy to tailor a ride for most abilities and itineraries.

17. Motu Trails

North Island

Grade: 3 with some 2 and 4
Location: Eastland/Bay of Plenty
Distance: 121km
Days: 1-3
Highlights: Beaches, forest and hill country, Māori and European history

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.

These trails are made up of three wildly different rides, from easy rides along the Pacific Coast to classic single-track following a historic byway through bushy backcountry.

Halfway along the Motu Road is the start of the legendary Pākihi Track, which winds back towards Ōpōtiki on single-track through forest and a hidden valley, an absolute New Zealand MTB classic for advanced riders.

The three trails can be linked together for a 91km loop, or split to make rides suitable for most ages and abilities.

18. Remutaka Cycle Trail

North Island

Grade: A bit of everything!
Location: Wellington/Wairarapa
Distance: 125km
Days: 2-3
Highlights: Historic rail trail, varied scenery, wine country

Starting on the edge of Wellington Harbour, this diverse trail winds up the leafy Hutt Valley, before climbing gently over the forested Remutaka Ranges and skirting around the rugged coast back towards the capital. Multiple access points and a variety of terrain means there’s something for everyone – from short-and-sweet outings to a more challenging multi-day ride.

There’s plenty to see and do along the way, whether you’re into scenery, history, galleries, and cafes, or fancy a detour into Wairarapa wine country. It can be ridden in either direction but is commonly started in Petone and takes 2-3 days to complete.

19. Coppermine Trail

South Island

Grade: Mostly 3, some 4
Location: Nelson/Tasman
Distance: 43km
Hours: 4-6
Highlights: Epic panoramas, alpine tops, awesome downhill

The Coppermine Trail is one of New Zealand’s most accessible alpine mountain bike rides, all the more memorable for its relatively easy up, exhilarating down, amazing rocky tops, sweet-smelling beech forest, and meandering river trail.

Starting amidst Nelson’s cafes and pubs, this amazing day ride heads directly into spectacular hill country via Codger’s Mountain Bike Park and a long, consistent tramway-line climb up the Dun Mountain Walkway.

The technical Grade 4 downhill section makes the full loop best suited to fit, experienced single-track riders, but intermediate-grade riders can enjoy a loop around the lower Codgers tracks or a return-ride via the Dun Mountain Railway to Third House or Coppermine Saddle.

20. St James Cycle Trail

South Island

Grade: 3 and 4, with some 5 (and a little 2)
Location: Canterbury
Distance: 60km
Days: 1-2
Highlights: Alpine views, wild rivers, hidden lakes, farming heritage

An important travel route for early Māori, the remote St James Cycle Trail is a challenging journey through magnificent high country, complete with soaring peaks, broad river valleys, and rustic farming heritage.

Vast valleys flanked by rugged mountain ranges take riders through golden meadows and sweet beech forest, over crystal clear rivers, into hidden lakes, and past a series of rustic huts offering shelter from the elements.

By Bennett & Slater

The St James Cycle Trail is generally ridden from November through to April/May. Outside of these times, challenging winter conditions prevail, and the trail is often inaccessible. It’s important that people check the trail and weather conditions with the local Department of Conservation office.

21. Queenstown Trail

South Island

Grade: 2 and 3 with a section of 4
Location: Otago
Distance: 138km
Days: 1-4
Highlights: Alpine grandeur, wineries, cafes, pioneer history

Note: The Lower Shotover/Kimi Ākau Trail is closed due to a large slip. Visit the trail’s website for up-to-date details:

Surrounded by sheer mountain ranges, this trail threads through the Wakatipu Basin on a mix of lakeside paths, country lanes, quiet roads, and cross-country cycleways. It links Queenstown, Arrowtown, and the Gibbston Valley. Discover early settler history in buildings, bridges, and gold mining sites.

Via Destination Queenstown

You can some adrenaline with a bungy jump or jet boat trip! Get a taste of Central Otago’s at countless cafes and cellar door restaurants. The Queenstown Trail can be ridden as a multi-day adventure, stopping overnight along the way, or tailored as day rides to suit a range of ages and abilities.

Spicy Trails

These trails are for experienced riders and meant to be challenging, only attempt these if you really know what you’re doing.

22. Queen Charlotte Track

South Island

Grade: 3 and 4 with some 5
Location: Marlborough
Distance: 73.5km
Days: 2-3
Highlights: Views into the Sounds, coastal forest, waterside resorts

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 takes visitors deep into its reaches, revealing many different faces and moods.

Via Marlborough NZ

Starting in a remote, historic cove in the outer Sounds, reached by scenic water taxi from Picton, the track is also accessible from many of Queen Charlotte’s most popular bays. Sprinkled along them are many campsites, lodges, and resorts, breaking this back-to-nature ride up in comfort.

23. The Old Ghost Road

South Island

Grade: All 4 with some 5, hard!
Location: West Coast
Distance: 85km
Days: 2-4
Highlights: Mountain views, wild valleys, riveting history

Fit, technical riders need to look no further for New Zealand’s ultimate wilderness adventure, 85 kilometres of epic single-track snaking through remote valleys and over a spectacular mountain range.

A legendary feat of trail-building has resurrected an old gold miners’ route between the ghost town of Lyell and sleepy Seddonville on the West Coast, passing through a series of remote landscapes bursting with strange and beautiful sights.

Admire alpine tarns, tumbling rivers, and waterfalls. Take in vast panoramas from rocky tops all on purpose-built track ranging from fast and flowing, to tight and technical.

Staying overnight is a big part of The Old Ghost Road experience. The trail’s huts and tent sites are set in spectacular locations, from mountain high to valley low, with sunsets, starry skies, and birdlife.

For more detailed information on each of the Great Rides, head to the Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand website.