New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Clyde to Haast

This cycling ride starts at Clyde which is at the end of the Otago Rail Trail and the first section goes to Wanaka which is a distance of 76.6 kilometers. 

As you head into Wanaka after crossing the Clutha river there is the option of riding on the track alongside the Clutha river into Wanaka which is well worth doing.

Clutha River

From Wanaka it is 63.6 kilometers to Makaroa and then it is a further 79.4 kilometers to Haast township which is located on the west coast.
There is a reasonable hill to climb just out of Lake Hawea and from Makaroa you climb up the Haast mountain pass into Mount Aspiring National Park which reaches a height of 564m at the summit. The reward as well as the stunning scenery is a long downhill into the Haast township. This ride takes you through some great country and there are many highlights including the ride alongside the Clutha river into Wanaka.

Lake Hawea

Great country to ride through

Surprise it is wet on the west coast

Great Downhill Ride into Haast

New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - The Nevis Valley

The Nevis Valley

The Nevis is a cycle ride in New Zealand that starts at Garston in Northern Southland and finishes in Bannockburn in Central Otago.

It is 67.2 kilometers long and is the highest public road in New Zealand at 1300 metres although it is not recommended for cars. The road is closed in the winter and the weather is very changeable as we found out. The road is gravel and there are 20 odd fords to ride through. There are two steep climbs and a long downhill into Bannockburn.

We did the ride on touring bikes and camped by the river on the way through. As mentioned conditions are very changeable so you need to be well prepared for cold weather including snow. We camped in the Nevis in March and there was ice on our tent when we woke up after a sudden front sweep through overnight. The ride is suitable for mountain bikes with light loads.

Overall the Nevis is a fantastic experience and is highly recommended because it gets you of the main roads into the back country of the South Island.

Its worth all the effort!

Great back country

At the top

Lots of climbing!

Not to mention fords

And it can be windy

The Nevis Valley Video

New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Danseys Pass

Danseys pass is a great cycle touring road that is the link between Central Otago and North Otago and runs from Naseby to Duntroon a distance of 64.5kilometres. It has a maximum height of 935 metres.

It is not a main road and is shingle but while being a good climb up it is an enjoyable ride in interesting back country.

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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Westport to Picton

The cycle ride from Westport to Picton alongside the mighty Buller river goes uphill but is not too demanding. It is 97.7 kilometers to Murchison. In Murchison there is a reasonable selection of places to stay. On the road from Westport a lookout needs to be kept for logging trucks although there is not a lot of other traffic and it is a great ride alongside the river.

From Murchison you then go to St Arnaud which is 63.5 kilometres away. Again it is a good ride with little traffic.
At St Arnaud there is accommodation and Lake Rotoiti and the area is a popular tramping and skiing centre. About 7 ks north of St Arnaud on the right is the road to the Rainbow ski field and Rainbow station which then leads onto the Molesworth Station.
The Rainbow and Molesworth Station Ride


The ride from St Arnaud to the Picton ferry is 129 kilometers but the good news is that the road goes downhill for most of the way and includes the Marlborough vineyards where 77% of New Zealand's wine is produced.

Mightly Buller River

Lake Rotoiti

Downhill to Picton

Picton

New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Haast to Westport

The first thing that needs to be said is that the west coast of the South Island has a high rainfall with an average of 3,639 mm precipitation a year spread over most months of the year so there is a fair chance of rain at at some stage during the ride.

It is 121 kilometers from Haast to Fox Glacier and then 23.6 kilometers from Fox Glacier to Franz Joseph Glacier and then 134 kilometers to Hokitika. There is then 38.9 kilometers between Hokitika and Greymouth and a further 101 kilometers from Greymouth to Westport making a ride total of 417 kilometers.
 The ride between Greymouth to Westport through Punakaiki is one of the highlights.



The west coast is a great road to ride on with a low traffic density apart from the tourist buses and has spectacular scenery.
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Bridge near Haast

Punakaiki Coastline

Punakaki Coastline

Up the coast on a narrow but not busy road