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west coast ride

Cycling the West Coast Wilderness Trail: Epic New Zealand Trip

5 days | Moderate | 5.00
From $2,031 ()
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This 5-day journey is the ultimate way to experience the West Coast Wilderness Trail, starting with the legendary TranzAlpine train crossing from Christchurch to Greymouth! We’ve designed this trip to showcase the coast’s rawest landscapes, from the turquoise depths of Hokitika Gorge to the rugged Pororari River and Truman tracks. We’ll ride through ancient rainforests and past the massive Pancake Rocks, spotting unique birdlife along the way. Evenings are spent recharging with authentic local flavors and staying in stunning spots. It’s a straightforward, soul-stirring loop through New Zealand’s best backcountry.

Mike
Mike

Adventure Highlights

  • The West Coast wilderness: Experience everything from snow-capped peaks and dense rainforests to turquoise waters and dramatic coastlines
  • Iconic TranzAlpine crossing: We’ll cross the Southern Alps by rail, soaking in mountain views on one of the world’s most scenic train rides
  • Fully organized for you: Indulge in unique dining and stay in character-filled accommodations that reflect the region’s gold rush history
Duration
5 days
Season
Year-round
Group size
Up to 14 people
Accommodation
Comfort: Comfortable hotels & motels
Difficulty
Moderate: Good fitness required, cycling up to 49 km (30 mi) per day
What's included
Guide, lodging, all meals, snacks & drinks, support vehicle, & more

The adventure, day by day

Experience the best of New Zealand's cycling along the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Ride through the magical landscapes nestled between the Southern Alps and the Tasman sea. Stay in charming accommodations and savor delicious meals included in the tour. Explore character-filled towns, and marvel at iconic sights such as the turquoise Hokitika Gorge and the legendary Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki. This all-inclusive adventure invites you to embrace the superb cycling, stunning landscapes, and the allure of New Zealand’s South Island.

Day 1: Christchurch to Hokitika
group nz cycling

We meet in central Christchurch (7:15 am, Cathedral Junctions) and board the famous TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey across the Southern Alps to Greymouth. After lunch, we transfer to the start of the trail and enjoy a cruise ride to the charming town of Hokitika, known for its pounamu (greenstone) and dramatic beach. The highlight of the evening is a unique “paddock to plate” home-cooked dinner hosted by locals Rob and Col in their eco-home.

Meals: Dinner
Cycling: 18.4 km (11.4 mi)
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel or Jade Court Motel, Hokitika
Day 2: Hokitika to Lake Kaniere
stunning river nz

We head inland through rural country to the bush-lined Kaniere water race, a favorite section for its flowing riding. We follow the shores of Lake Kaniere to Kokatahi for a picnic lunch before visiting the stunning Hokitika Gorge, famous for its turquoise waters. We drive back to Hokitika in the afternoon, leaving time to explore the arts and crafts shops or catch a West Coast sunset before dinner at a local pub.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: 47 km (29 mi)
Accommodation: Beachfront Hotel or Jade Court Motel, Hokitika

Day 3: Lake Kaniere to Kumara
Cyclists seen from above as they cross a switchback road immersed in greenery, in New Zealand.

After an optional visit to the Treetop Walkway to see the rainforest from above, we return to the trail at Lake Kaniere. We ride through amazing bush trails and cross a swing bridge at Milltown before tackling a switchback climb to the high point of the day. From there, it is a scenic descent along water races and reservoir roads to Kumara. We spend the night at the beautifully restored Theatre Royal Hotel, a historic gem from the gold rush era.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 49 km (30 mi)
Accommodation: Theatre Royal Hotel, Kumara
Day 4: Kumara to Punakaiki
boardwalk cycling

Our final day on the trail takes us north to Greymouth on a mix of coastal and riverside pathways, crossing the old road and rail bridge. After lunch, we drive the stunning coastal highway to Paparoa National Park. We explore the limestone gorge of the Pororari River and walk the Truman Track to a rugged beach. We end the day with a stroll around the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki before our farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 28 km (17 mi)
Accommodation: Scenic Punakaiki Hotel

Day 5: Punakaiki to Christchurch
Mountain-ringed alpine valley with many purple flowers. Mountains in the distance are covered in snow.

Leaving the coast, we enjoy one last quiet ride finishing in Moana on the shores of Lake Brunner, where there might be time for a refreshing dip. After lunch, we drive back via Arthur’s Pass, crossing the Southern Alps by road this time, and arrive in Christchurch in the early evening where our journey concludes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: 25 km (15.5 mi)

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Lodging & food

Adventure, packed to go

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.
Jude
5.00
Jude
Jude owned two Pita Pit stores in Palmerston North for 10 years and sold them in 2021 to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She has biked the Camino de santiago, Vietnam, the Netherlands and most of the NZ Cycle Trails. Jude purchased a Camper Van in 2021 and travelled NZ for 12 months. In 2022 Jude biked Cape Reinga to Bluff to raise funds for Diabetes NZ.
Mike
5.00
Mike
Mike has spent many years discovering the natural beauty of New Zealand, enjoying our wilderness on foot, by bike, and even on horseback. His adventures have been shared with family and school groups alike, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Now, Mike is thrilled to share the experience of the great outdoors with you, the amazing trails in our backyard are a pure joy to ride and walk, and they are even better when enjoyed with good company!
Robbie
5.00
Robbie
Robbie was brought up on a sheep and cattle farm South of Auckland and grew up spending her weekends outdoors building huts and catching eels. She spent nearly 30 years in the clothing industry and has travelled the world extensively. Robbie competed and crewed in multi-sport and adventure races. She really embraced a love of cycling over the last 15 years travelling within NZ and overseas on numerous occasions to race, ride, guide, bike-pack and explore what is on offer.
Steven
5.00
Steven
A proud Kiwi, Steven is lucky enough to call the pristine waters and alluring habitat of the Abel Tasman his backyard. His lifelong passion for the outdoors inspired him to study adventure tourism, leading to a career as a kayak and hiking guide across both New Zealand and Norway. Steven thrives in challenging environments and loves meeting new people—nothing makes him happier than seeing his guests with a smile on their faces.
Will
5.00
Will
After managing a bike store in Auckland for 8 years Will took a career change into adventure tourism, starting work as a guide in 2018. In guiding he found a true passion in helping to create amazing experiences for his guests. Will currently resides in Japan where he works together with his wife, running tours and helping to develop adventure tourism in the region where they live. He returns to NZ in the summer to guide, adventure and get his fix of fish n chips!
Bryan
5.00
Bryan
Bryan’s outdoor experiences started with tramping over 50 years ago and progressed into multi-sport. He completed the Coast to Coast five times in the late 1980's. After having a family, Bryan got back into road cycling and mountain biking. Racing gave way to bike packing for the 2016 Tour Aotearoa and he has been exploring the NZ trails and back roads since then. He managed to fit outdoor activities around a career as a Quantity Surveyor and celebrated reaching retirement age in 2024 with a 2.5-month cycle tour through the USA and Canada. Bryan loves encouraging people into the outdoors and to ride bikes.
Eli
5.00
Eli
Originally from Northland, Eli now calls Queenstown home. After starting out in the engineering industry, he has spent the past three years working in adventure tourism. Passionate about sharing the outdoors, Eli enjoys helping others discover new challenges and experiences. In his spare time, he’s often bikepacking around NZ, trail running in the mountains, or climbing big rocks.
Heather
5.00
Heather
Heather is a 5th generation kiwi from Christchurch and grew up on the family farm enjoying the foothills, lakes & Southern Alps of the South Island. She enjoys all of the outdoor activities Kiwis love, including skiing, hiking, biking, boating and horse riding. Heather loves sharing her backyard with like minded people.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (10 reviews)
J
Jane D.
|April 2025
Wonderful trip! Well organised well supported spectacular scenery and new friends!! West Coast South Island full of stunning views; wonderful riding; some difficult stretches but so well supported by our guides, Howie and Eli;
S
Selena P.
|November 2024
Fabulous country, fabulous trails, lovely food, hosts and accommodation
P
Paul G.
|November 2024
The West Coast Trail was perfect; 5 interesting and varied days through beautiful countryside, staying at warm and friendly hotels
5.00(10 reviews)
J
Jane D.
|April 2025
Wonderful trip! Well organised well supported spectacular scenery and new friends!! West Coast South Island full of stunning views; wonderful riding; some difficult stretches but so well supported by our guides, Howie and Eli;
S
Selena P.
|November 2024
Fabulous country, fabulous trails, lovely food, hosts and accommodation
P
Paul G.
|November 2024
The West Coast Trail was perfect; 5 interesting and varied days through beautiful countryside, staying at warm and friendly hotels
J
JL F

The West Coast Wilderness Ride was very well organised, great communication before hand and on the ride / tour, good bikes, good food, good lengths of days, good side trips of the bikes as well. Highly recommend would ride with the guides most happily again

J
Jolene Marks

Such a great trip for all ages and fitness levels. We had an awesome group of people and great guides. It was well organised and the accommodation / food was great at every location. Would happy to another trip with the guides.

L
Linda McKindley

I had an amazing time. I did both the South Lakes and the West Coast Cycle tours. The guides were very knowledgeable and changed routes as needed to keep us safe. They did everything they could to keep everyone happy. If you want to do a cycling or hiking tour look no further. They are a New Zealand company with guides that live in New Zealand.

T
Tracey Odonnell

A truly amazing adventure! The views, the mountain tracks, the variety of the terrain all made this a fantastic ride. All the accommodation was excellent and the food fabulous. Thankyou Mike for all your organising and planning ahead. You had so much knowledge to share with us about New Zealand and made our trip really memorable. Thankyou for picking amazing lunch and break spots so we could appreciate the beauty of New Zealand, the hot tea and coffee and most of all your checked table cloth and apron. Excellent!

J
Jill Valmadre

What a wonderful trip we had. The guides were an amazing group to travel with, our leaders were so helpful, fun and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend them. Nothing was too much trouble, the food wines and accommodations were all spot on. And the ride was, well, breathtaking. Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you. We will be back.

J
JIm V.
|February 2025
D
Dan F.
|November 2023

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced New Zealand cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 5-day West Coast Wilderness Trail adventure
      • Accommodation for 4 nights in comfortable motels/lodges (double occupancy)
      • TranzAlpine train travel from Christchurch to Greymouth
      • Full vehicle support along the trail including trailer for luggage
      • All meals during the tour catered to all dietary requirements
        • Tasty cafe breakfasts (x4)
        • Gourmet picnic or cafe lunches (x4)
        • Two-course restaurant dinners (x3)
      • Tasty nutritious snacks, drinks, and treats
      • Pre-departure information kit to help you plan and prepare
      • Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation

    Add-ons (available to add at checkout):

      • Single occupancy room
      • Bike rental (e-bike or mountain bike)
      • ScenicPlus (First Class) TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Greymouth (standard ticket already included in the price)

    Not included:

      • International or domestic flights and taxes
      • Arrival and departure transfers
      • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
      • All beverages, other than breakfast
      • Bike hire (including helmet)
      • Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
      • Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
      • Visa (if required)
      • Optional activities (e.g. Tree Top Walkway, Monteith’s Brewery tour in Greymouth, TranzAlpine Scenic Plus Upgrade, etc.)
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • The West Coast Wilderness Trail is graded introductory to moderate, offering a stunning mix of wide paths, narrow water races, and sweeping boardwalks. While the scenery is soul-soothing, there are some undulating hills to keep things interesting!

    To get the most out of your journey, we recommend:

      • Fitness level: A reasonable level of fitness is key. Aim for at least 2 hours of cycling per week during the three months leading up to your trip
      • Surface training: We highly suggest training on compacted gravel trails to get comfortable with the texture of the trail.
      • Time in the saddle: Completing a multi-day ride beforehand is a game-changer—it helps your body (and your seat!) adjust to consecutive days of exploration.

    Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more New Zealand bike adventures here!

  • The majority of the West Coast Wilderness trail consists of compacted gravel, ranging from wide paths to narrower tracks that follow water races. Cyclists should be confident riding on uneven surfaces, as this terrain can naturally reduce riding speeds. Beyond the gravel, the trail features sections of smooth, sweeping boardwalks winding over wetlands, as well as some riding on sealed roads. These are mostly quiet back-roads, so riders will need to be aware of road rules and comfortable managing small amounts of traffic.

  • The tour is fully supported so you won’t have to carry anything. If hiring one of our bikes, it will have a rear saddle bag with enough space to put an extra layer, your camera, wallet, phone etc. We recommend you pack your luggage in a soft sports bag for easy stowing in the trailer/ vehicle. We urge you to keep your luggage to a minimum. If you have extra luggage you do not require for your holiday, we can arrange to store it until the end of the trip.

    Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Bike & helmet — bike rental available
      • Comfortable biking clothes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Sneakers or sport shoes
      • Breathable outside layer or jacket
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Fleece
      • Quality thermal wear
      • Casual clothes and sneakers for when you’re not cycling
      • Sunhat
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Biking gloves
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Yes — bike rental is available, with several high-quality options to match different riding styles, comfort needs, and experience levels.

    Mountain bikes (non-e-bike):

      • Avanti Discovery – Hardtail Mountain Bike — A simple, solid, and comfortable hardtail built for mixed terrain. It features front suspension, fast-rolling tyres, a 1×10 drivetrain, and hydraulic disc brakes for reliable control. A rear rack with a rack bag (included) makes it easy to carry layers, lunch, or a camera. Available in multiple frame sizes (exact sizing subject to availability).
      • Avanti Discovery – Low-Step Hardtail Mountain Bike — The same dependable setup as the standard Avanti Discovery, with a low-step frame for easier mounting and a more accessible feel. It offers a relaxed upright riding position, front suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes—ideal for riders prioritising comfort. Available in multiple frame sizes (subject to availability).

    E-bikes:

      • Sinch e-bike – front suspension (mountain bike style) — Designed in Aotearoa New Zealand, these pedal-assist eBikes smooth out hills and longer days thanks to reliable Shimano motor systems. They feature front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and a comfortable upright riding position. Available in sizes L and XL.
      • Sinch e-bikes – step-through options — These models offer the same pedal-assist support and trail-ready setup, with step-through frames and swept-back handlebars for a relaxed touring posture. Available in sizes XS, S, and M, with L and XL step-through options available on request.

    Premium e-bike:

      • Merida eONE-FORTY 475 EQ (subject to availability) — Our premium option for riders wanting maximum comfort and capability. This full-suspension eBike features a powerful Shimano motor, long-lasting battery, and relaxed geometry that flattens climbs and smooths rough terrain. Integrated lights, mudguards, and a rack make it ideal for multi-day touring. Available in selected sizes (subject to availability).

    If you’re unsure which bike is best for you, we’re happy to help match you with the right setup based on height, experience, and riding style.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For this West Coast Wilderness Trail, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.
      • Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

    Cycling on the South Island in New Zealand can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. That said, if you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.

    If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The price for West Coast Wilderness Trail is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

    Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

  • To get to Christchurch, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Christchurch Airport. Alternatively, you can fly into other airports in New Zealand (or Australia) and board another flight/take a shuttle service to Christchurch.

    You will meet your New Zealand cycling guide in the morning on Day 1 at Cathedral Junction (downtown Christchurch) at 6am.

    Keep in mind that most people arrive in the city the day before the tour starts and stay in the city for an additional night after the end of the tour. Catching international flights the day the tour ends is not recommended. Keep in mind that the tour finishes around 6.30pm on the same location where it starts.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

    Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  • Deposits

    Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

    Basic

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Super Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
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