Wild Riding on the West Coast Wilderness Trail

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Wild Riding on the West Coast Wilderness Trail

west-coast2Dramatic scenery and an equally dramatic past – they don’t call it the wild West Coast for nothing! Discover this region’s enthralling history on the West Coast Wilderness Trail – a 140km graded trail through dense rainforests, glacial rivers, lakes and wetlands. This gem of a tour offers five days of cycling, sightseeing, cultural experiences, dining and relaxing through one of the South Island’s most memorable landscapes.

Day One
Christchurch to Ross
From Christchurch you’ll cross the Southern Alps via Arthurs Pass and begin your riding along the quiet backcountry trails of Lake Brunner. Your lodging for the night is the historic town of Ross, home to New Zealand’s largest gold nugget (known as The Honourable Roddy) and a community that describes itself as “wonderfully wacky!”

Day Two
Ross to Hokitika
Day two starts with a exhilarating walk – through the treetops! The Westcoast Treetops Walkway takes you 20 metres above the forest for a birds-eye perspective of the surrounding landscape. Back on the ground we cycle to Hokitika, enjoying dramatic views of the coastline and stopping for a visit with a local carver of Pounamu (greenstone). Hokitika will be your base for the next two nights. It’s a cool little town with a fascinating history, culture and arts scene and there’s plenty to see and do during your downtime.

Day Three
Lake Kaniere
Easy-going riding awaits on day three when we cycle around beautiful Lake Kaniere. The rural countryside is flat and our ride takes us through many small townships and farms. We’ll stop for photos at the impressive Dorothy Falls and then follow an old water race used in gold mining times before a last (optional) ride back to town.

Day Four
Lake Kaniere to Kumara
Day four will see us driving back to Lake Kaniere to continue our journey along the trail. We’ll stop for coffee at Milltown, once home to a thriving sawmill. After a brief spell of uphill riding it’s mainly downhill for the rest of the day, following water races, bush tracks and reservoir roads to our overnight stop – the beautifully restored Theatre Royal Hotel in Kumara. We’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner this evening while reflecting on our west coast adventure.

Day Five
Kumara to Greymouth
Your final day of riding will follow the Taramakau River and the coastal road to Greymouth, where a variety of cafes and restaurants offer lunchtime dining options. You can also choose to visit the famous Monteith’s Brewery for a tour and tasting! Then it’s all aboard the Tranzalpine Express for your ride back to Christchurch.

Take This Tour
The West Coast Wilderness Trail is available from October through to April. Head here for exact dates. Tour costs $1695 NZD per person, which includes:

Four nights of 2/3-star, twin share accommodation.
Four breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners.
Support vehicle to whisk you up the steep bits.
Luggage transfer for lightweight touring.
Knowledgeable, friendly tour guide.
TranzAlpine fare.
Entry to Treetops Walkway.
DOC fees.

Grade: 1. Easy

To book, simply send us an email.

Have a great week,
Andrew Hunt