Trail Alert: Siberia Bridge is currently closed due to slips. Visit Remutaka Cycle Trail's official website(opens in new window) for more detailed information.
Easiest - Intermediate
Get to know the wild side of Wellington and the Wairarapa on this Great Ride around the Remutaka Ranges and Pacific Ocean coast.
Feel a world away from the business of the city on this trail which traces the foreshore, riverside, historic railway and quiet backroads before heading around a remote stretch of the southern coastline.
Take in a remarkable array of sights and scenery; from urban streets with cafes, shopping and art, to forested hills, rural plains and spectacular sea cliffs. Easy detours explore the Wairarapa region with its wineries. The diversity of this Ngā Haerenga Great Ride of New Zealand(opens in new window) means it is difficult to beat.
This trail is divided into four diverse sections which can be ridden in 2–3 days or split into day rides dependant on ability.
The full journey is commonly started in Petone(opens in new window), which is 15 minutes road or train journey from downtown Wellington. Starting on Petone foreshore, the Hutt River Trail follows a leafy and leisurely pathway through two small, riverside cities – Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. Easy detours lead to popular attractions such as Dowse Art Museum(opens in new window), and the craft beer hub, Brewtown.
The trail climbs gently out of the valley and into the bushy hills along the Remutaka Rail Trail, a much-loved local bike ride and walkway. It has peaceful picnic spots along with fascinating railway relics including eerie railway tunnels, and a suspension bridge.
Descending into the Wairarapa region, Wellington’s rural neighbour which offers detours into the wine country around Martinborough, and nearby Featherston.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail(opens in new window) then continues through farmland, around bird-filled lakes, before beginning a reasonably challenging cycle around the rugged south coast. A good-weather venture, the Wild Coast section rewards riders with epic views of the Cook Strait and the South Island’s Kaikōura Ranges, along with amazing geology, and a seal colony.
A detailed description of this Great Ride, including maps and more information, can be found here.
Handy tour and transport options on this Great Ride are available through two of the trail’s official partners. Green Jersey Explorer Tours(opens in new window)’ variety of single or multi-day tours include bike and E-bike hire, shuttles, luggage transfers, and Wairarapa wine-country bike tours. Wildfinder(opens in new window) offers all-inclusive cycle tour packages, bike and E-bike hire, shuttles, bag transfers, accommodation, and food services. They're also happy to give free advice to self-guided cycle adventurers.
There are many accommodation options in Wellington, the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa. Accommodation providers partnered with the trail are listed on the Great Ride of New Zealand(opens in new window) and Remutaka Cycle Trail(opens in new window). There are also basic campsites on the Remutaka Rail Trail and at Corner Creek(opens in new window) near the start of the southe coast section.
Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails(opens in new window)
Remutaka Cycle Trail(opens in new window)
Wellington NZ(opens in new window)
Hutt Valley NZ(opens in new window)
Destination Wairarapa(opens in new window)