This week we got set a challenge: list our must-do rides around New Zealand. So we pondered and puzzled and cast our minds back over the many, many rides we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing…and this is what we came up with. Agree? Disagree? We’d love to hear your favourites – head over to our Facebook page and let us know. Here’s our list of unmissable New Zealand biking:
Best Rail Trail
Otago Rail Trail
The original New Zealand rail trail through classic South Island scenery. 150 kilometres of high country sheep stations, river gorges, tunnels and viaducts.
Ability: Low skill + low level of fitness.
Best High Country Endurance Ride
Hanmer Springs – Rainbow Road – Murchison – Spring Junction – Hanmer Springs, South Island. A mix of riding terrain and landscapes, from high country stations to the iconic Lewis Pass. The Natural High team recently rode this circuit – read our account here.
Ability: Medium skill + high level of fitness.
Best Bush Ride
The Timber Trail. New Zealand bush at its best. An 85km adventure that runs from Pureora to Ongarue (and vice-versa) in the North Island. Killer views of Lake Taupo and fantastic stories about the logging industry and local Maori.
Ability: Medium skills + medium level of fitness.
Best Multi-Day Singletrack
The Heaphy. Rustic huts, diverse scenery and giant land snails known as Powelliphanta! The Heaphy Track is open to mountain bike riders from 1 May to 30 September.
Ability: Intermediate skill + high level of fitness.
Best Day Ride Through Bush
Waipoua Forest. Therapeutic, calming riding through Northland’s native Kauri forest. Make sure you say kia ora to Darby and Joan (they’re trees!).
Ability: Low skill + low level of fitness.
Best Airport Ride
The Runway MTB Park at Auckland Airport. The only MTB park at an airport – stretch your legs after a long flight or kill a few hours in transit. A fun, 6km trail that weaves in and around an old farm.
Ability: Low skill + low level of fitness.
Best Downhill Park
Queenstown Bike Park. A huge range of world-class trails suitable for all levels of shredders. Andy’s fave is Grundy but his nemesis is Thingymajig – it chewed him up, spat him out and he has a souvenir to prove it.
Ability: All skill levels + all levels of fitness (You can catch the gondi (local’s term for the gondola) to the top to avoid the uphill grunt).
Best Cycle Wine Trail
Hawke’s Bay Trails. 180 km of cycle trails that wind their way between the twin cities of Napier and Hastings. The Wineries Ride meanders past numerous award-winning wineries, including Craggy Range, Elephant Hill and Te Mata Estate. Don’t miss the Saturday market at Black Barn Vineyards (fresh fruit, pastries and breads) and the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Markets.
Ability: Low skill (debatable after you’ve sampled a few) + low level of fitness.
Best City Riding
Wellington. After a day exploring Weta Workshop and Te Papa, hit the hills around Wellington. You’ll be amazed at the quality and diversity of riding so close to the city. The Rimutaka Trail starts and finishes in Wellington and is one of the most undiscovered and underrated rides in New Zealand. End your riding with a beer at Garage Project or Ombra – the best Italian restaurant in Wellington.
Ability: All skill levels + all levels of fitness.
And the best way to get around and do all this…
..is with one of our camper and bike combos.
Britz Campervans are high quality, spacious homes on wheels. Add in bike hire from yours truly and you’ll be all set to discover these rides for yourself. Find out more about our camper and bike combos here.
