The Trail
This fabulous cycling adventure guarantees an outstanding landscape ride through dense rainforest, past glacial rivers and lakes and through wetlands, all the way from the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps to the ocean.
And it is all accessed on one of the best cycle trail surfaces in the country!
The Trail is the latest addition to Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail and will be officially opened in November 23, 2013
The cycle trail can be ridden either in part as a day ride or in its entirety over four days. It is graded easy. The first three days of riding open in November and the leg from Hokitika to Ross will be completed and opened in early 2014.
Trail update:
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The trail is 77 percent complete and open to all cyclists.
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Although there is some on-going construction being undertaken in some sections of the trail, alternative routes are available along the roads.
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Sections are constantly evolving with work is completed, so it is important to check the map for the latest information.
Download the lastest map (3MB) »
Day one
Greymouth to Kumara
BEGINS IN: Greymouth, New Zealand
DISTANCE: 31 km
GRADE: Easy Grade 2 (find out more about grades »)
DESCRIPTION: This ride has a total ascent of 99.0 m and has a maximum elevation of 87.0 m.
Departing from opposite the historic Greymouth Railway Station, the trail runs along the mighty Grey River, down through a working port and out to the wild Tasman Sea. Cyclists then follow the impressive coast line south behind sand dunes and tidal lagoons before crossing the Taramakau River.
The trail retraces the historic Kumara Tram through regenerating bush and newly developed farm land with special vistas of the Taramakau river towards the days end at the historic gold fields town of Kumara. This day is an easy ride from the Grey River and Tasman Sea inland following flat gradients and is suitable for riders of all abilities.
Day two
Kumara to Milltown
BEGINS IN: Kumara, New Zealand
DISTANCE: 35.5 km
GRADE: Easy Grade 2 (find out more about grades »)
DESCRIPTION: This ride has a total ascent of 310.0 m and has a maximum elevation of 340.0 m.
Day two departs Kumara heading east towards the mountains. You will pass remnants of the gold rush and the Kapitea Reservoir before reaching the spillway where you can then stop to appreciate the hand laid stone wall placed by Chinese settlers during the Gold Rush. Carry on along the trail to the sweeping boardwalk that connects Loopline Road and follow the gravel road out to the Old Christchurch Road. The trail then climbs through the Kawaka Valley passing man-made dams, following old logging trams and crossing pack tracks to the base of the Southern Alps. You will follow water races and weirs with fresh mountain water to the Waitaiki Reserve before descending through untouched Podocarp forest to a stunning suspension bridge through the trees. Day two concludes through a combination of paddocks and bush before arriving at Cowboy Paradise, a replica Wild West town. This day is more challenging than Day 1 however those few short sections where you gain elevation are in the most spectacular parts of the trail and are just as enjoyable to walk. The trail surface here is of a particularly high quality and makes for easy and comfortable riding.
Day three
Milltown to Hokitika
BEGINS IN:Milltown
DISTANCE: 36 km
GRADE: Easy Grade 2 (find out more about grades »)
DESCRIPTION: This ride has a total ascent of 137.0 m and has a maximum elevation of 255.0 m.
With the easiest start of all the stages you begin the day with a flowing switch-back descent from Cowboy Paradise where you will hardly need to pedal. The trail takes you through bush and open paddocks offering great views of the Arahura River and Valley. Follow the bush lined Milltown Road out of the valley and over a hill to Lake Kaniere.
Meander around Lake Kaniere to the beautiful Water Race Track where the trail follows a hand dug water race to Wards Road. Dropping down Wards Road the trail again veers off into the bush to follow the Hokitika Township water supply line and out to the Kaniere River. The ride along the quiet Lake Kaniere Road offers excellent views of the Hokitika River. You will then cycle the length of Kaniere Tram Road into Hokitika. The day’s ride finishes beside the Hokitika River Bridge, in close proximity to the cafés, restaurants, accommodation and boutique arts and craft shops on offer in the township of Hokitika. This section of the trail offers a leisurely cycle through an amazing part of the West Coast.
Day four
Hokitika to Ross
BEGINS IN: Hokitika
DISTANCE: 33 km
GRADE: Easy Grade 2 (find out more about grades »)
DESCRIPTION: This ride has a total ascent of 106.0 m and has a maximum elevation of 49.0 m.
The final leg of the journey commences with a panoramic view of the Hokitika River as you cross the Hokitika Bridge. You will then cycle parallel to Mahinapua Creek, a quiet meandering body of water renowned for whitebait spawning and on past the Hokitika Golf Links before joining the state highway for 3 km. You then turn onto the Mahinapua Tramline, a track through wetlands, native forest, old mill sites and trams and offering glimpses of Lake Mahinapua. When riding from Ruatapu to Ross you get a stunning view of Mt Cook & Mt Tasman.
The Trail then follows a local rural road past the unique West Coast Treetop Walkway to re-join the state highway. Following the road west to Ruatapu you will find yourself on the old rail route that will take you on the final leg of your journey to the historic Ross Goldfields. This historic rail link between Ross and Hokitika traverses some beautiful old rail bridges including the Totara River Bridge, built in 1908. This section offers great views of the tidal Totara lagoon. The culmination of your four-day journey is an easy ride from the Totara River into Ross Township itself. Today’s cycle is an easy experience suitable for cyclists of all ages!
Trail Highlights
The West Coast Wilderness Trail provides a unique immersion into the nature and the people of the West Coast. Arrive as a visitor and leave as a local when you spend the best days of your life on two wheels.
In the midst of the West Coast of the Southern Alps, along the Great Alpine Fault, lie a series of tracks carved by pioneering gold rush miners.
Today these old tracks, together with extensive water races, logging tramways and later short length railway lines, form the West Coast Wilderness Trail.
Over 117.3km of the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is off-road on an excellent gravel trail, with an ambient gradient and only a couple of short sections where you may prefer to walk.
