Mountains and Railway History
Follow the historic Remutaka railway route through native bush, tunnels and old railway formations before descending the famous Remutaka Incline into the Wairarapa.
Martinborough Wine Village
Spend a relaxed day cycling between Martinborough’s vineyards and cellar doors, with time for wine tastings, a leisurely lunch and an evening in the village.
The Wild South Coast
Ride one of the trail’s most spectacular sections, where rugged tracks, raised beaches, dramatic coastal scenery and abundant wildlife create an unforgettable finish.
This three-day, two-night self-guided tour combines the best of the Remutaka Cycle Trail with a relaxed day exploring Martinborough Wine Village.
Ride from Wellington Harbour along Te Ara Tupua and the Hutt River Trail before crossing the Remutaka Range on the historic railway route and descending the famous Remutaka Incline into the Wairarapa. Spend two nights in Martinborough, with a full day to explore the village’s vineyards, cellar doors and surrounding countryside by bike.
The final day takes you along the spectacular Wild South Coast, where rugged trails, dramatic coastline and evidence of the region’s powerful geological history make for an unforgettable finish. A Lake Ferry to Cape Palliser ride is also available as an alternative when conditions or rider preferences make it more suitable.
Bike hire, two nights’ accommodation with continental breakfast each morning, luggage transfer, key shuttles, route information and trail equipment are included. With flexible distances and shorter options available, the tour can be adapted to suit a range of riders while still showcasing the mountains, vineyards and wild coastline that make the Remutaka Cycle Trail so special.
Day 1: Wellington to the Wairarapa
Your first day takes you from Wellington Harbour into the peaceful Wairarapa, following some of the most varied and memorable sections of the Remutaka Cycle Trail.
Starting from the Wellington waterfront, ride out of the city along the new Te Ara Tupua harbourside pathway to Petone. From there, follow Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River through the Hutt Valley before joining the historic Remutaka Rail Trail and climbing into the mountains.
The trail follows the route of the former railway through native bush, historic tunnels and old railway 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 and begin your ride from there. Starting at Maymorn provides an approximately 35km ride to Featherston while still covering the complete mountain section of the Rail Trail.
You can finish at Cross Creek, Featherston, Woodside or Greytown. We will collect you from your chosen finish point and transfer you to your accommodation in Martinborough, where you can settle in and enjoy dinner at one of the village’s excellent restaurants.
Day 2: Martinborough Wine Village
Spend your second day exploring Martinborough Wine Village and the surrounding countryside by bike.
With more than 20 cellar doors located within easy cycling distance of the village, you can create your own route between vineyards, enjoy local wine tastings and stop for a leisurely lunch along the way. If you would prefer to ride further, explore the quiet country roads and farmland surrounding Martinborough, with up to 45km of cycling available.
There is no fixed schedule, so you can make the day as relaxed or active as you like. Visit the wineries that interest you, spend time exploring the village or simply enjoy an easy ride through the vines.
You will spend a second night in Martinborough, giving you another evening to choose from the village’s excellent restaurants and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Wairarapa wine country.
Day 3: The Wild South Coast
A morning shuttle takes you to Ocean Beach, where you begin an approximately 60km ride along the Wild South Coast section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail and around Wellington Harbour.
This remote coastline has been shaped by powerful earthquakes and the collision of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates. Along the way, you will see ancient beach ridges raised above the present shoreline, groves of karaka associated with historic Māori kāinga, abundant coastal birdlife and, occasionally, dolphins or orca offshore.
This is the most challenging day of the tour. The route includes unbridged streams, narrow sections of trail, loose surfaces and wind-blown sand, with short stretches where most riders will need to walk their bikes. The coast is also exposed to weather from the Southern Ocean, so we will check the conditions and discuss the safest and most enjoyable route with you the previous evening.
Once you reach the Wellington Harbour waterfront, you can continue riding around the harbour to the Wellington depot or take the ferry from Days Bay. Alternatively, you can ride approximately 45km from Lake Ferry to Cape Palliser, followed by a shuttle back to Martinborough.