The Remutaka Cycle Trail is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides. Green Jersey has the most experience and best options for riding this fantastic trail. Explore urban river trails, a mountain pass beautiful lakes and country side finished with wild coastal riding.
Choose to explore the Remutaka Rail Trail in a day, or spread your tour over a week! Our bespoke Remutaka cycle tour options offer something for everyone. Whether you are just hiring bikes or looking for luxury supported and guided tours.
Explore your way
Remutaka Cycle Trail Map
Trail Highlights
The diversity of scenery is the most stirring feature of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Beginning in an urbanscape, it explores the Petone foreshore before following the Hutt River Trail for around 40km. Visit historic Petone, museums, or take a swim in the Hutt River.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail offers options for a side trip up the Te Whiti Riser. Definitely recommended for fit and capable riders, it adds a hill and unbeatable views to an otherwise flat ride.
The trail snakes across the Remutaka Mountain Range following an easy Remutaka Rail Trail. This section of the trail is a gentle gradient with a nice hard packed surface. It is a very popular day-ride for locals who often picnic at the summit.
You wind through native bush and pass through 2 tunnels before you reach the summit. After riding through the 480m long Remutaka Summit tunnel there is a rapid decent to Cross Creek and the Wairarapa valley floor. This rail track is historically significant as it used the unusual “Fell” system. Trail interpretation is a treat for rail enthusiasts.
The next 30km is on quiet country roads following the shores of Wairarapa Moana (Lake Wairarapa). This is bucolic magic. Farms use this road for stock movements, some of the farmers are seventh generation guardians of the land!
The Wild South Coast from Ocean Beach to Orongorongo is an exposed landscape scarred by wild seas, furious winds and geological MEGA events.
Historically it is a treasure trove, Karaka Groves indicate early Maori settlements, and more recent European activity. At Turakirae Seal Colony, the Bull seal gather between mating seasons. On a clear day you are afforded excellent views of the South Island.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail packages up a wide diversity of scenery and experiences to make it an unforgettable adventure.
Remutaka Cycle Trail FAQ
Where does the Remutaka Cycle Trail start?
▲Officially, the Remutaka Cycle Trail starts at Petone. But we can assist you starting anywhere. Popular starting point for a dayride is Maymorn Station in Te Marua, or a few kilometres along at Kaitoke.
How long does it take to ride the Remutaka Cycle Trail?
▲Day rides – We suggest allowing 6 hours for a typical day riding the Remutaka Incline, longer if your take into account shuttles or trains.
Multi-day Rides – The trail can be completed in 1-5 days on either our Remutaka Highlights two-day package or Remutaka Explorer three day adventures.
Our most popular way to explore the Remutaka Cycle Trail, and beyond, is the Remutaka Palliser Tora itinerary, this is New Zealand’s Greatest New Ride! But, you will have to book soon! Spaces fill fast!
Where can we stay along the Remutaka Cycle Trail?
▲Accommodation on the trail is limited and books well in advance. Our preferred way to ride the trail is hub-and-spoke, meaning that you stay two or three nights in a single, high quality accommodation and travel to the trail each day. Doing it this way means that you don’t have to unpack and pack each day, and your food and drinks will always be high quality.
We have premium and standard accommodation available in Greytown and Martinborough for your Remutaka experience.
What else can we see along the trail?
▲We recommend taking some side trips, Featherston is an up and coming town, Martinborough is full of premium Pinot Noir producers and high quality restaurants, for Lord of the Rings fans you can visit a number of filming locations. Patuna Chasm and the Cape Palliser, Ngawi Fishing Village and Lake Ferry are spectacular – ask us how with our bespoke itineraries.
Where does the Remutaka Cycle Trail finish?
▲The Remutaka Cycle Trail officially finishes at Orongorongo Station, this is a remote spot on the Wainuiomata Coast. It is possible to ride back to Petone via the Wainuiomata Coast Road. Although not an official part of the trail it is generally able to be ridden adding around 35km to the journey.
What if we want to ride further?
▲Talk to us about the ride through to Petone or about bespoke tours – we would love to help you explore our world!
Safety on the Remutaka Cycle Trail
▲Much of the Remutaka Cycle Trail is remote and exposed to extremes of weather. Careful planning is required and independent riders should expect to be self-sufficient during the ride. Once off the Hutt River Trail section of the ride there is little easy access to shops and accommodation may be at a premium. The South Coast is rough and we recommend traveling light. It is highly recommended to choose a supported tour. We take care of your safety, bag transfer, accommodation, and provisions.