Historic Rail Trail
Follow the former railway route through the mountains and experience the historic Remutaka Incline, which operated until 1955.
Harbour to Mountains
Ride from Wellington Harbour through the Hutt Valley and into the spectacular native forest and mountain scenery of the Remutaka Ranges.
Choose Your Adventure
Select a self-guided route from 25km to 93km, with flexible starting and finishing options from Wellington or Martinborough.
Explore the Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride on a flexible, self-guided day trip from Wellington or Martinborough.
Priced at $240 per person, this full-day experience includes any bike hire required. Choose from ride options ranging from 25km to 93km, travelling through harbour, riverside, mountain and native forest landscapes.
Start from Wellington
Meet at the Switched on Bikes Wellington Waterfront Depot for an 8.30am start.
The full route follows the new Te Ara Tupua trail beside Wellington Harbour, continues along the Hutt River Trail and then crosses the mountains on the historic Remutaka Rail Trail.
You can finish in Featherston after approximately 82km or continue to Woodside Station, near Greytown, for a total ride of approximately 93km.
Shorter rail-assisted option
For a shorter ride, take your bike on the train to Upper Hutt or Maymorn.
From Maymorn, ride approximately 35km across the Remutaka Rail Trail to Featherston. You can finish in Featherston or continue another 10.4km to Woodside Station.
At the end of your ride, lock the bike at the station and catch an afternoon train back to Wellington. Train tickets are not included.
Start from Martinborough
Meet at the Green Jersey Martinborough depot at 8.30am. We will provide your bike and shuttle you to Maymorn to begin riding.
Choose where you would like to finish:
- Cross Creek – approximately 25km
- Featherston – approximately 35km
- Woodside Station – approximately 48.5km
- Greytown – approximately 54km
We will collect you and your bike from your selected finishing point and return you to Martinborough.
What’s included
- Standard mountain bike or electric-assist mountain or step-through bike
- Helmet, pannier, lights and high-visibility vest
- Bike collection from the designated finishing point
- Bottled water and trail snacks
- Detailed route instructions, GPX file, map and briefing
- Bike tools and first-aid kit
- Emergency locator beacon, with one supplied per group
- Free baggage storage at your starting depot
- Free secure parking at the Green Jersey Martinborough depot
- Transfers between Martinborough and the designated tour start and finishing points
- Trail and land-access fees and concessions
Optional extras
- Spare e-bike battery – $80 per battery
- Fell Locomotive Museum visit in Featherston – $30 per person
- Private guide – ask us for a price for your group
- On-trail support callouts – $120 per callout
- Bring your own bike and receive a $60 discount
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes suitable for cycling
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Cycling gloves
- Lunch or money to purchase food along the way
- Cash or a payment card for train tickets
Jeans are not recommended. Cycling gloves are available to purchase if required.
The Ride
This self-guided adventure brings together the most popular sections of the Remutaka Cycle Trail, taking you from the coast and river valley into spectacular mountain scenery and native forest.
Riders starting in Wellington begin on Te Ara Tupua, following the edge of Wellington Harbour to Petone Esplanade. From Petone, the route joins the Hutt River Trail and follows the picturesque Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River towards Upper Hutt.
The journey then continues into the Remutaka Ranges on the historic Remutaka Rail Trail. This section follows the former railway route through the mountains and features the famous Remutaka Incline, which operated until 1955.
After crossing the ranges, riders can finish at Cross Creek or continue towards Featherston. Longer options follow the Tauwharenikau Trail to Woodside Station or continue through to Greytown.
The route is primarily on well-developed, off-road trails, with some riding on quiet country roads with low vehicle use. You will receive detailed route instructions, a map, a GPX file and a full briefing before setting out.
Weather around the Remutaka Ranges can change quickly. If conditions make the planned route unsuitable, we may adjust the riding day, starting point or route to provide a safe and enjoyable alternative.