Be prepared for an amazing holiday experience when you ride one of the Great Rides along the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Rich in breathtaking scenery and must-see attractions, Ngā Haerenga (‘The Journeys’) Great Rides are an unforgettable way to explore New Zealand. Mostly off-road and traversing a remarkable range of landscapes, the Great Rides offer adventures for almost every age and ability.

Renting a bike is easy in New Zealand; plenty of rental providers can be found in the main centres close to the Great Rides. Choose to explore a trail that fits in with your itinerary from the following themes:

  • Remote wilderness Great Rides: Motu Trails, Old Ghost Road Cycle Trail, West Coast Wilderness Trail, Timber Trails, Coppermine Trail, Waikato River Trail. 
  • Food and wine Great Rides: Hawke's Bay Trails, Tasman's Great Taste Trail, Queenstown Trail.
  • Spectacular scenery Great Rides: Great Lake Trails, Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride, St James Cycle Trail, Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail.
  • Culture and heritage Great Rides: Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Hauraki Rail Trail, Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, Mountains to Sea Nga Ara Tuhono, Otago Central Rail Trail, Remutaka Cycle Trail.

As locals will tell you, there really is something for everyone on the New Zealand Great Rides, even for beginners and rusty riders. Passionate tour companies offer advice, guiding, shuttles and luggage transfers while welcoming accommodation, cafes and restaurants provide home comforts along the way. 

They are as diverse as they are beautiful, showcasing a satisfying blend of natural wonders, cultural sights, food and wine. Tasman’s Great Taste Trail offers a leisurely tour of cafes, wineries and galleries spread across rolling countryside and along a sparkling coast. At the other end of the scale, the Old Ghost Road is a challenging journey through remote mountainous wilderness.

Spread throughout New Zealand from the Bay of Islands in the north to Queenstown in the south, the Great Rides are a memorable way to reach sights and attractions. Pedal between Napier’s art deco buildings on the Hawke’s Bay Trails, stargaze from an alfresco hot tub on the Alps 2 Ocean and wind through Rotorua’s steamy geothermal wonderlands on Te Ara Ahi(opens in new window). Explore two contrasting national parks on the Mountains to Sea, and freewheel through the golden high country of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Official Website

Go to Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails' official website(opens in new window) to find all detailed information about the 23 great rides of New Zealand. 

Great Rides App

Download the Great Rides App(opens in new window) - the only app designed for the Great Rides of New Zealand – it works offline, has 1500+ pages, and it’s free too.

Download for Apple(opens in new window) / Download for Android(opens in new window)

Take a closer look at our best cycle trails

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