Cross the Remutaka Range
Follow the historic railway route through native bush, tunnels and old railway formations before descending the famous Remutaka Incline into the Wairarapa.
Discover Cape Palliser
Ride the dramatic Palliser Bay coastline to the Putangirua Pinnacles, New Zealand fur seals and Cape Palliser Lighthouse at the southernmost point of the North Island.
Ride the Wild South Coast
Complete your journey on the trail’s most adventurous section, riding through a remote landscape shaped by earthquakes, wild weather and the powerful Southern Ocean.
This four-day, three-night self-guided adventure brings together the complete Remutaka Cycle Trail experience with the dramatic landscapes of Palliser Bay and Cape Palliser.
Begin beside Wellington Harbour before following Te Ara Tupua and Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River towards the Remutaka Range. Cross the mountains on the historic railway route and descend the famous Remutaka Incline into the Wairarapa. From there, ride beside Lake Wairarapa to Lake Ferry and continue along the rugged Palliser Bay coastline to the Putangirua Pinnacles, fur seal colony and Cape Palliser Lighthouse.
The final day follows the remote Wild South Coast back towards Wellington Harbour, completing a remarkable journey through mountains, farmland, native bush, lakeside country and exposed coastline.
Bike hire, three nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast each morning, luggage transfers, scheduled shuttles, route information and essential trail equipment are included. Shorter routes and alternative arrangements are available, allowing the tour to be adapted to different riders and weather conditions.
Day 1: Wellington to the Wairarapa
Distance: Up to approximately 83km
Leave the city behind and follow Wellington Harbour onto the new Te Ara Tupua shared pathway towards Petone. From there, ride alongside Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River before entering the Remutaka Range on the historic Remutaka Rail Trail.
Following the route of the former railway, you will ride through native bush, old railway tunnels and historic formations before descending the famous Remutaka Incline into the Wairarapa.
The complete ride from Wellington to Featherston is approximately 83km. For a shorter option, take the train with your bike to Upper Hutt or Maymorn. Starting from Maymorn provides an approximately 35km ride to Featherston while still covering the complete mountain section of the Rail Trail.
You can also begin from our Martinborough depot, with a morning shuttle to Maymorn. Finish at Cross Creek, Featherston, Woodside or Greytown, where we will collect you and transfer you to your overnight accommodation.
Day 2: Western Lake Wairarapa
Distance: Approximately 61km
Set out from your accommodation and ride south through the peaceful rural landscapes of the Wairarapa.
The route follows quiet Western Lake Road, passing farmland, native bush and stretches of shoreline overlooking Lake Wairarapa. With relatively little traffic and expansive views across the lake and surrounding countryside, this is a relaxed and scenic day of riding.
Your destination is Lake Ferry, a small coastal settlement near the edge of Palliser Bay. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy the evening beside the coast, with dinner available locally at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel.
Day 3: The Cape Palliser Experience
Distance: Approximately 42km
Follow the Palliser Bay coastline from Lake Ferry towards Cape Palliser, where rugged hills, remote beaches and small fishing settlements create one of the most distinctive landscapes in the lower North Island.
Along the way, allow time to walk into the Putangirua Pinnacles. These towering geological formations have been shaped by thousands of years of erosion and create a dramatic, otherworldly landscape.
Continue along the coast to visit one of New Zealand’s largest fur seal colonies before reaching Cape Palliser Lighthouse at the southernmost point of the North Island. Climb the staircase to the lighthouse for remarkable views across Palliser Bay and the surrounding coastline.
At the end of the ride, we will collect you and transfer you to your overnight accommodation at Lake Ferry or in Martinborough Wine Village.
Day 4: The Wild South Coast
Distance: Approximately 60km
A morning shuttle takes you to Ocean Beach, where you begin the remote Wild South Coast section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail.
Ride through a coastline shaped by earthquakes and the meeting of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. Ancient beach ridges sit above the present shoreline, while groves of karaka mark areas associated with historic Māori kāinga. The coast is also home to abundant birdlife, with occasional sightings of dolphins or orca offshore.
This is the most challenging day of the tour, with unbridged streams, narrow trail sections, loose surfaces and wind-blown sand. Most riders will walk their bikes over a few short sections. Because the coast is exposed to Southern Ocean weather, we will check the conditions and discuss any necessary route changes with you the previous evening.
After reaching Wellington Harbour, continue cycling around the waterfront to the Wellington depot or take the ferry across the harbour from Days Bay. The tour finishes when you return to the Wellington waterfront.