New Zealand's best bike rides

Here at AMB, we are big fans of travelling to New Zealand for mountain bike adventures. But those epic off road experiences are just one part of what a cycling trip to New Zealand can be. New Zealand has a whole range of Great Rides that cover rail trails through to higher grade experiences. These rides are perfect for those who want to get out and see some more places around the North Island and South Island.

Photos: Cam Mackenzie, Tim Bardsley-Smith, Bare Kiwi, Will Nelson, David Kirkland/Northland New Zealand, Mike Blewitt

Adventure is waiting and the trails and bikepaths are calling your name all the way from New Zealand! Cycling through Aotearoa won’t just give you gorgeous scenery and breathtaking sights, but also quiet towns and local communities to explore along the way. The first trail on New Zealand’s Great Rides opened in 2009 as a way for people of all ages and abilities to sustainably explore the nation while protecting its rich landscapes. Now there are 23 Great Rides that use old pathways forged by early explorers, giving it the Māori name Ngā Haerenga – ‘The Journeys’.

This intoxicating array of trails will get the heart pumping whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner. With new roads to travel and old epics to conquer, you’ll push your limits on an unforgettable journey across one of the world’s best riding terrain. From leisurely saunters to rugged sprints, here’s a guide to sustainably exploring New Zealand, no matter your level of riding experience.

The Lake Dunstan Trail: Central Otago

Time: Allow 1 Day
Riding ability: All Levels

The newest of New Zealand’s Great Rides, the Lake Dunstan Trail, will let you experience an exciting new route with the same familiar beauty. It really is the best example of what it's like to ride across New Zealand, offering world-famous landscapes on accessible roads for all levels of rider. Open year-round on the South Island, about 1hr from Queenstown, this lakeside ride over breathtaking bridges and spectacular scenery can be completed in about a day.

For the newer riders, you can stick to the more popular section from Cromwell to Clyde where award-winning wineries are dotted along every twist and turn for you to explore and revel in. You’ll marvel at the large, winding waterway as you pleasantly traverse wide earth paths, well polished roads and flat wooden boardwalks. For experienced riders, there’s a 25km stretch of remote and rugged terrain for you to test your skills. Make it through the sharp corners, narrow paths and steep ascents, and you’ll be rewarded with some of Central Otago’s most dramatic landscapes.

Want more? Check out our take on the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails.

Pou Herenga, Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail

Time: 1-2 Days
Cycling ability: Easy/Intermediate

Get a full-bodied taste of riding through the North Island on the Twin Coast Cycle trail. The best news? It’s located in what’s known as the ‘winterless north’, so no matter what time you set your sights on travelling to New Zealand, this trail is waiting for you.

This 87-kilometre trail winds its way through some of the most spectacular scenery you'll find anywhere in the world, from stunning coastal vistas to rolling farmland and ancient forests.

One of the best things about the trail is that it's suitable for riders of all levels, with plenty of options to customise your ride to suit your abilities and interests. We’re talking four sections that can be ridden in full or split up across multiple days or sessions. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking for a challenging ride, or a casual cyclist seeking a leisurely day out, the Pou Herenga Tai Trail has something for everyone.

Don’t miss the glistening waters of The Bay of Islands, or pop your head into the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most important historical site to learn more about the history of Aotearoa while taking in some spectacular artworks and historical artifacts.

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail

Time: 1 – 4 Days
Riding ability: Easy/Intermediate

If you’re looking to challenge yourself over multiple days, without locking yourself into anything too difficult, then tantalise your senses with Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. Forming a loop around the Nelson–Tasman region, this flavoursome trip can be done over a few days or in short hops between its many tasty attractions. You’ll eat your way across restaurants, wineries, craft beer pubs and local fruit stalls on easy, smooth tracks. The trail also offers a fantastical mix of rural, urban, coastal and riverside scenery. Intermediate riders will love the remote sections from Riwaka through to Tapawera, where gravel roads and steep climbs reward you with stunning mountains and valley views.

 

Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono

Time: 1 – 6 Days
Riding ability: Advanced

If you’re heading over the Tasman for electrifying excitement and heart-pumping thrills, then you need to try the North Island’s Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono. You won’t just journey through remote forests and deep gorges along your challenging ride, there’s also adrenaline fuelled attractions along the way.

You’ll start this Great Ride atop the volcanic slopes of Mt Ruapehu with an exhilarating 1000m descent. But there’s plenty of reasons to slow down! If you stop off at the enchanting Mangapurua Track (Bridge to Nowhere), you’ll be treated to a thrilling jet boat ride. The full trail takes you from the mountains to the sea in 4-6 days, but also there’s a variety of day trip options available.

Looking for more thrills? Check out our take on the best places to mountain bike in New Zealand.

Otago Central Rail Cycle Trail, Central Otago

Time: Upto 5 Days
Riding ability: Beginners

New Zealand’s most iconic trail was the inspiration for the Great Rides that would follow. The whole thing will take you four to five days to complete, with lots of charming villages and peaceful accommodations to rest and recover in overnight. Running along a decommissioned railway line, the flat, stress-free terrain allows you to keep your attention on the trail’s vast spectrum of majestic sites.

For natural wonders, there’s rocky gorges and mountainous rivers to spot, and for manmade relics, you’ll encounter heritage structures and out-of-the-way towns as it follows the old, historic railway line. With the option to take day trips all along the track, it’s an easy adventure to add to any Queenstown or Wānaka journey.

READ: Jump into our Otago Central Rail Trail adventure.

So what are you waiting for? Discover new horizons and push your limits on New Zealand’s cycling trails here. Whether you’re a beginner exploring unfamiliar paths or a veteran conquering old epics, this adventure will leave you wanting more!

To plan the best trip possible, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest track changes and alerts, check the New Zealand Cycle Trails website here.