New cycle trails on track for NZ summer

With three cycle ways completed and more trails well on the way to completion, New Zealand’s national cycle trail project is on track to provide a summer full of choices for cyclists.

Two full cycle trails - one on each island - have opened since the beginning of November, and portions of 11 unfinished trails are also open for cyclists to test their skills at a range of levels from vineyard cruising through to advanced mountain biking.

All 18 ‘Great Rides’ in the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network are scheduled to be open for early 2013 during the southern hemisphere summer.

Regional trails
The government-led cycle ways project brings together a network of regional trails that capitalise on New Zealand’s varied regional landscapes, local highlights and stories such as Tasman’s Great Taste Trail or the West Coast’s Old Ghost Road, which follows an old gold miners’ track.

While the ‘Great Rides’ are off-road dedicated cycle tracks, there is also a series of on-road touring routes connecting the regional trails that are opening progressively.

The first fully completed ‘Great Ride’ - The St James Cycle Trail near Hanmer Springs, in the northern South Island - was opened in November 2010.

The newest completed rides - Waikato River Trails, in the Hamilton Waikato region, and the Dun Mountain Trail, in the Nelson Tasman region - have just opened.

Nelson’s Dun Mountain Trail
The Dun Mountain Trail is a 38km intermediate level trail that begins on the outskirts of Nelson and follows the route of New Zealand’s first railway line.

The cycle way, which winds through forest before crossing an alpine mineral belt, and then descending down to the Maitai River and back into Nelson, can take several hours to complete and is tipped to become a major draw card for visitors to Nelson.

New Zealand Cycle Trail project manager (and co-author of Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides) Jonathan Kennett says the Dun Mountain Trail is outstanding.

"The scenery on the Dun Mountain Trail is truly world class. When you ride this trail you really feel like you’re on top of the world. Early sections give glimpses of the Waimea plains and more extensive views can also be enjoyed back across Nelson and beyond to Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park," Kennett said.

"The trail climbs right above the treeline at Windy Point and then finishes with a 10km downhill ride that offers one of the most exhilarating riding experiences in the country."
Nelson is a cycle-friendly region with a sunny mild climate, a vibrant arts culture, and strong food and wine story. Abel Tasman National Park is a major tourist destination renowned for its walking track, coastal scenery and outdoor activities.

Waikato River Trails
The Waikato River Trails travel 100km of off-road cycling and walking tracks through heartland New Zealand.

Following the Waikato River banks from Lake Karapiro (north) to Atiamuri (south), highlights of the journey include native bush, conservation areas, wetlands and expansive views of five hydro lakes - a landscape that is equally rich in geological, volcanic and cultural history.

With a variety of mountain biking grades (from 1 to 4) on different sections, the trails will attract biking enthusiasts and walkers of all levels of fitness. The trails consist of eight sections ranging from 2km to 13.5km, and a smaller wheel chair accessible track.

The Waikato River Trails are in the central North Island and within easy driving distance of Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupo.

St James Cycle Trail
The 64km St James cycle trail, which traverses two national parks in Canterbury, is considered the most difficult ‘Great Ride’.

The trail sets off from Hanmer Springs - a thermal spa resort in Canterbury high country - and travels through iconic mountain scenery, beech forest and grassland valleys, offering shorter family rides or a complete adventure for experienced mountain bikers.

The full traverse of the St James mountain range is a three-day ride that ends in the Awatere Valley, at the top of the Marlborough wine region.

Completed trail sections
A further 11 trails have sections that are open and in use, ranging from short easy rides to difficult longer excursions. New sections are opening on a regular basis.

Trails with sections open include the Twin Coast Cycle Trail (Northland), Pureora Timber Trail (Waitomo), Motu Trails (Eastland), Great Lakes Trail (Taupo), Hauraki Rail Trail (Coromandel), Ruapehu - Whanganui Trails, Hawke’s Bay Trails, Old Ghost Road (West Coast), Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail (North Otago), The Queenstown Trail, and the Around the Mountains Trail (Queenstown).

In addition, in the central North Island, three on-road cycle routes have been opened to link Taumarunui to New Plymouth (including part of the Forgotten World Highway), Taumarunui to the Ruapehu -Whanganui Trails, and the Pureora Timber Trail to Taumarunui.

The Forgotten World Highway is recognised as one of New Zealand’s best on-road cycling routes.