Cycling in New Zealand
New Zealand
Great rides with rental and shuttle options
Named cycle trails have visitor rental, shuttles, and start points you can find. Road touring sits beside them. You ride as a guest, not a club member.
- Trail rental and shuttles
- Named riding destinations
- A week on the bike
The vibe
Pedaling across these islands feels like an evolving road trip where quiet gravel rail trails suddenly give way to sweeping coastal highways with very little shoulder to spare. The shoulder months of spring and autumn deliver crisp mornings and lighter winds, making long hours in the saddle much more forgiving. You will find a welcoming, bike-literate culture dotted with country bakeries, where you mostly sort your own logistics and patch your own tubes.
Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail
Canterbury
Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
New Zealand's longest continuous ride, stretching 312km from the base of Aoraki/Mount Cook to the Pacific Ocean in Oamaru. The route showcases the South Island's most dramatic scenery, including turquoise glacial lakes and limestone cliffs.
Access. Starts in Aoraki/Mount Cook village; many tour operators provide logistics, luggage transfers, and bike rentals.
Notes. Requires 4-6 days; varied terrain including gravel, sealed roads, and farm tracks.
Christchurch Adventure Park
Canterbury
Michal Klajban / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Home to New Zealand's longest chairlift-assisted mountain bike park, offering a variety of trails ranging from flowy beginner tracks to steep, technical downhill runs. The park provides stunning views over the Canterbury Plains and the Pacific Ocean.
Access. Located in the Port Hills, a short drive from Christchurch city center.
Notes. Open year-round; lift pass required for downhill access; bike rentals available on-site.
Great Lake Trail (Taupo)
Waikato
This stunning trail hugs the western shores of Lake Taupo, offering high-altitude forest riding with panoramic views of the lake and the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. The terrain is characterized by flowing singletrack through native bush.
Access. Accessible via water taxi from Taupo to various trailheads, allowing for flexible one-way riding.
Notes. Grade 3-4 trail; best suited for experienced mountain bikers or fit e-bikers.
Nelson Tasman Great Taste Trail
Nelson
Mattinbgn ( talk · contribs ) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
A scenic loop that showcases the best of the Nelson region, including coastal views, vineyards, and artisan food producers. The trail is largely flat and well-maintained, making it perfect for a relaxed multi-day touring experience.
Access. Starts in Nelson city; numerous bike rental hubs and luggage transfer services available.
Notes. Family-friendly; great for e-bikes; can be ridden in sections or as a full loop.
Old Ghost Road
West Coast
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
An 85km remote wilderness trail through the rugged West Coast mountains, following an old gold miners' pack track. It is a true backcountry adventure featuring high-alpine tops, dense rainforest, and dramatic river valleys.
Access. Located near Seddonville; requires advanced planning for shuttle logistics and hut bookings.
Notes. Advanced fitness and technical skills required; self-supported multi-day trip.
Otago Central Rail Trail
Otago
AnnWoolliams / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
This iconic 152km trail follows the historic railway line through the rugged heart of Central Otago. Riders traverse dramatic gorges, historic tunnels, and gold-mining ghost towns set against a backdrop of vast, golden tussock landscapes.
Access. Accessible from Clyde or Middlemarch; numerous shuttle services and bike rental operators offer luggage transfers along the route.
Notes. Best ridden from October to April; mostly flat gravel surface suitable for e-bikes and touring bikes.
Queenstown Trail Network
Otago
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
A sprawling network of over 130km of trails connecting Queenstown, Arrowtown, and the Gibbston Valley wine region. The routes offer a mix of riverside paths and mountain vistas, perfect for both leisurely touring and more technical gravel riding.
Access. Centrally based in Queenstown with extensive bike hire and guided tour options available.
Notes. Year-round accessibility, though winter can be cold; highly popular for e-bike rentals.
Rotorua Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest)
Bay of Plenty
Arthousestudio · Pexels
Widely considered the mountain biking capital of New Zealand, this forest features hundreds of kilometers of world-class singletrack. The volcanic soil provides excellent drainage, ensuring prime riding conditions through towering Californian Redwoods and native ferns.
Access. Located minutes from Rotorua city center; multiple bike shops and shuttle services operate directly to the forest entrance.
Notes. Suitable for all levels from beginner to professional; home to major international MTB events.