New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Hamner Springs to Reefton

This route at the top of the South Island is an option to get from the east coast of the South Island to the west coast if you are heading that way. It is also one of the best rides in the South Island.
From Hamner Springs the road leads you to the Lewis Pass and includes beach forest and mountain scenery especially after the Engineers Camp which is 50 kilometres from Hamner Springs. After a steady 4kilometre climb you arrive at the Lewis Pass which is the most northern crossing of the Southern Alps into Westland. The reward after taking in the views is a long downhill ride to Maruia Springs, where there is a small settlement with a shop where you can have coffee and stock up on previsions.
After a few kilometres the road climbs over a low saddle and then there is approximately another 40 kilometres of mainly downhill riding in beautiful scenery again in mature beech forest with mountains as a backdrop. Reefton is a well-established gold and coal mining town with a backpackers and all amenities.

Towards Reefton

Reefton

South Island Robin