Easy - Advanced
Soak up the landscapes and history of the Wellington region as you wind through the foothills of the Remutaka Range from Petone to the Ōrongorongo River.
This trail encompasses Wellington and the Wairarapa region, pairing a vibrant capital city with world-class wines and charming townships.
One of New Zealand's favourite icons, the famous Wellington Cable Car climbs the hill from downtown Lambton Quay to the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā.
Start your journey in Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington, New Zealand's vibrant capital city. Before you set off on trail, explore the city's centre by foot. Learn about the country's history at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; peek into the world of movie-making magic at Wētā Workshop or ride in the iconic Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā.
The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt on the Remutaka Cycle Trail is a free public gallery for people to enjoy contemporary art and culture.
Catch the train from Wellington to Petone to enjoy a hearty café breakfast in historic and funky Jackson Street. Then you’ll be set to pick up your bike and get pedalling.The Hutt River Trail section begins with an easy sealed section alongside the river, perfect for warming up the legs before continuing along the trail's 35 km route to the Remutaka Range.
Accommodation: Silverstream Retreat, Hutt Valley(opens in new window)
You will need to pass through more than 600 meters of tunnels on the Remutaka Cycle Trail.
Before you continue on to Maymorn Station and the start of the Remutaka Rail Trail section, treat yourself to an ice cream or your pick from the lolly selection at Te Marua Store on Plateau Road. From here the trail follows the old train line of the Fell Steam Engines which once serviced the Wellington Wairarapa line. The entrance to tunnel gully does have a short sharp climb but that’s as hard as it gets for the day. You’ll travel through several old train tunnels; the last before popping out into the Wairarapa is 570m long – take a strong torch!
Accommodation: Featherston or Martinborough, or consider one of the following accommodation options - Lake Meadows, Western Lake Bach(opens in new window), Waiorongomai(opens in new window), Western Lake Woolshed(opens in new window), Te Rakau(opens in new window), Wharekauhau(opens in new window).
You might like to book a shuttle to transfer you from Cross Creek to your accommodation depending on how energetic you're feeling.
Explore the high quality vineyards and charming towns of the Wairarapa on this cycling itinerary.
Ride into the historic rail town of Featherston and visit the Fell Locomotive Museum to see the actual train that once travelled the route you road yesterday. Or ride through to the gorgeous wine village of Martinborough and visit a few cellar doors.
Extend your Wairarapa stay by detouring to Greytown via the Tauwharenīkau and Greytown to Woodside Trail, or along SH53 to the gorgeous wine village of Martinborough.
If continuing along the Remutaka Cycle Trail, your next section is the Western Lake Road section. This 43km route takes you along on a quiet country road from Featherston to Ocean Beach, past farmland and along the shores of Lake Wairarapa.
Accommodation: Where you stayed on day 3
Remutaka Cycle trail
The Wild Coast Track section is an advanced, 19km track that takes you around the very rugged and exposed south coast. You will cross several streams that have descended from the Remutaka Range bringing tons of rock down with them. Other significant land shifts will be seen where earthquake scarring has moved the land up and down by up to 8 metres in places. The ocean on your left offers no landfall between you and Antarctica. The trail is rough and forever changing but always spectacular, so take your time and plenty of rests and photo stops.
Accommodation: Lightkeeper’s cottages(opens in new window) (Baring Head) and Parangarehu(opens in new window) (off Wainuiomata Coast Road).
Looking for deals
