The Remutaka Cycle Trail is a 122km Great Ride connecting the Wellington waterfront, Hutt Valley, Remutaka Ranges, rural Wairarapa and the rugged south coast. Most riders complete the full trail over two or three days, although its easier sections also make excellent day rides.
The route begins at Petone and follows the Hutt River to Maymorn before crossing the Remutaka Range on the historic Rail Trail. From Cross Creek, it continues through Wairarapa farmland to Ocean Beach and finishes with the remote Wild Coast section at Ōrongorongo.
Green Jersey provides self-guided tours, bike and e-bike hire, accommodation, luggage transfers and shuttles across the trail. Whether you want to ride the popular Rail Trail in one day or complete the entire Great Ride, this guide will help you choose the right route.
| Total distance | Approximately 122km |
|---|---|
| Recommended time | 2–3 days for the full trail |
| Start | Petone Wharf |
| Finish | Ōrongorongo |
| Trail grades | Grade 2 to Grade 4 |
| E-bikes | Permitted; e-mountain bikes recommended for the full trail |
| Best easy section | Hutt River Trail or Remutaka Rail Trail |
| Most challenging section | Wild Coast Track |
| Main landscapes | Harbour, river trail, native forest, farmland, lakes and wild coast |
| Support available | Bike hire, shuttles, luggage transfers, accommodation and tours |
Once you know which part of the Remutaka Cycle Trail you want to ride, choose a supported option that matches your time and experience. Green Jersey handles bikes, shuttles and overnight logistics so the route stays enjoyable rather than stressful.
| If you want… | Best option |
|---|---|
| The famous tunnels and railway history | Maymorn to Cross Creek on the Remutaka Rail Trail |
| An accessible first experience | Explore our one-day Remutaka Rail Trail ride |
| A long day from Wellington | Wellington/Petone through to Cross Creek, Featherston or Greytown |
| Cycling plus Martinborough | Two-day Trail and Wine Village Explorer |
| The complete Great Ride | View the complete multi-day Remutaka Cycle Trail tour |
| The remote Wild Coast | A supported multi-day itinerary with advance shuttle planning |
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 […]
This two-day, one-night self-guided tour combines the most popular sections of the Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride with an overnight stay and a relaxed day exploring Martinborough Wine Village. Beginning in either Wellington or Martinborough, your first day takes you from the coast and river valley into the spectacular scenery of the Remutaka Ranges. Follow […]
Experience the complete Remutaka Cycle Trail Great Ride on this three-day, two-night self-guided cycling adventure. Beginning in Wellington or Martinborough, the tour brings together the trail’s most memorable landscapes. Ride beside Wellington Harbour and Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River, cross the Remutaka Range on the historic railway route, follow quiet country roads beside Lake Wairarapa and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Six days of cycling taking in the best the southern tip of Te Ika a Maui the North Island of New Zealand has to offer. Amazing harbours edge riding, a historic rail trail set in native bush clad mountains, quaint rural villages, spectacular rugged coasts and amazing wildlife. Start and finish in Wellington. Our tour […]
Most riders travel clockwise from Petone Wharf to Ōrongorongo. Key places along the Remutaka Cycle Trail include Petone, Maymorn, Cross Creek, Featherston, Lake Wairarapa, Ocean Beach and Ōrongorongo. Railway access points at Petone, Maymorn and Featherston help with day rides and staged itineraries.
For the latest official mapping and facilities detail, also check the current WellingtonNZ Remutaka Cycle Trail planning guide and New Zealand Cycle Trail Remutaka page.
Understanding the four sections is the key to planning a safe, enjoyable Remutaka Cycle Trail ride. Grades, scenery and support options change significantly from the river flats to the Wild Coast.
This opening section is flat riverside riding with urban services and food stops through the Hutt Valley. It suits less experienced riders and anyone warming up for the range crossing. From Wellington you can connect toward Petone using Te Ara Tupua and the harbour-side paths, making the Hutt River Trail a strong standalone day trip if you want easy kilometres and flexible start options.
This is the most popular day-ride section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. The historic railway formation climbs gently through native bush, tunnels and the Siberia Gully suspension bridge before descending to Cross Creek. A proper light is required for the tunnels. The climb is steady rather than technical, which is why families and first-time trail riders love it — and why it is the heart of our one-day supported rides.
Read the detailed Remutaka Rail Trail route guide Explore our one-day Remutaka Rail Trail ride
After the forested Rail Trail, the landscape opens into rural roads and off-road stretches past Featherston, Lake Wairarapa and Lake Ōnoke. Expect more wind exposure, traffic awareness on road sections, and limited food and water once you leave the towns. This section feels very different from the bush tunnels — more open, more exposed, and more dependent on good pacing and weather judgement.
This is remote, exposed riding over rocky beaches, shingle fans and sand, with seals, coastal scenery and views across Cook Strait. Weather and tides matter, mobile coverage is limited, and you need emergency equipment, food and water. Shuttle arrangements must be made beforehand — do not treat the finish as an easy coastal cruise after the Rail Trail.
These Remutaka Cycle Trail itineraries reflect how Green Jersey usually supports riders on the ground. Final overnight points depend on accommodation availability and shuttle timing.
The classic day is Maymorn to Cross Creek on the Remutaka Rail Trail — roughly 25km and 3–4 hours of riding for most people. Stronger riders often continue to Featherston or Greytown for a longer finish with café options and an easier shuttle meet. A longer Wellington/Petone start is possible if you want extra riverside kilometres before the range. Return logistics usually rely on a pre-booked shuttle from your chosen finish point.
Book a supported one-day Remutaka Rail Trail ride if you want bikes, timing and the return sorted for you.
A fast two-day completion of the full Remutaka Cycle Trail is possible for fit, experienced riders, but it is not the best fit for everybody — especially if the Wild Coast weather window is uncertain. A popular alternative is the trail-plus-Martinborough approach: day one from Wellington or Maymorn through the Rail Trail into Wairarapa, then day two exploring Martinborough vineyards and countryside. That keeps the adventure memorable without forcing a rushed coastal finish.
See the two-day Remutaka Highlights option for a supported version of this style of trip.
Three days is our recommended complete-trail option for most reasonably active riders. A typical shape is Hutt River and Rail Trail into Wairarapa on day one, Western Lake Road toward the coast on day two, and the Wild Coast with a pre-arranged finish transfer on day three. Spreading the route this way gives better recovery, more weather flexibility and a safer Wild Coast decision point.
View the complete multi-day Remutaka Cycle Trail tour if you want the full Great Ride with luggage transfers and accommodation arranged.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail changes character section by section, so a single “easy” or “hard” label is misleading:
Fitness and technical skill are different things. A rider who can comfortably cycle 50km on a smooth path may still find loose shingle, sand, stream crossings, strong coastal wind and remote sections without mobile coverage confronting. Tourism New Zealand notes that the trail is predominantly Grade 3 overall, with the Wild Coast reaching Grade 4 and requiring experienced riders. Plan for the hardest section you intend to include — not the easiest.
Bike choice depends on how much of the Remutaka Cycle Trail you ride:
Wider tyres help on gravel, shingle and sand. Carry puncture and repair equipment, and always pack a reliable light for the Rail Trail tunnels. Green Jersey can supply suitable hire bikes and e-bikes if you are travelling light — see our bike hire options.
Getting to the Remutaka Cycle Trail is straightforward; getting back from a one-way finish takes planning.
Green Jersey shuttle and luggage-transfer options remove the hardest logistics, especially for groups and multi-day tours. You can also start with our shuttle booking page or contact us to build a custom transfer plan.
Supported Remutaka Cycle Trail tours are often the easiest way to lock in overnight stops in the Hutt Valley or Wairarapa while your bags move separately. Luggage transfers mean you ride with day kit only, which makes a noticeable difference on longer stages and the Wild Coast. If you are self-organising, book accommodation early in peak season and confirm bag-drop timing before you leave each morning.
Supplies are easiest to buy in the Hutt Valley towns and around Featherston. After leaving the towns toward Ocean Beach and the Wild Coast, services become limited and you should be self-sufficient. Carry more water than you think you need on hot or windy days, and treat the remote coast as a no-resupply section. For the most current toilet and facility locations, use an authoritative live map from WellingtonNZ or the New Zealand Cycle Trail rather than relying on outdated printed lists.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail is available year-round, but conditions change quickly. Summer can be hot and windy; spring weather is changeable; winter days are cooler and sometimes calmer. Settled weather is especially important on the Wild Coast. Check forecasts, tide-related coastal advice where relevant, and current trail alerts before you depart.
Carry a first-aid kit, do not rely solely on a phone, and tell someone your planned route. On the remote coastal section, experienced riders often carry emergency communication such as a PLB. If conditions look poor, shorten the day — Cross Creek or Featherston is a far better decision than pushing into bad weather on the Wild Coast.
These names are frequently confused, so it is worth being precise:
The trail was formerly known as the Rimutaka Cycle Trail, and some older maps and articles still use that spelling. If you are searching for either name, this page is the hub for planning the full route, while our Remutaka Rail Trail guide and one-day ride page go deeper on the railway section specifically.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail is approximately 122km from Petone Wharf to the Ōrongorongo River mouth. Older guides sometimes quote 110km or 115km; current WellingtonNZ and New Zealand Cycle Trail planning information uses 122km. Most riders complete it over two or three days, or ride individual sections as day trips.
Most recreational riders should allow three days for the full Great Ride. Fast, experienced riders can finish in two days, but that packs a lot of distance and leaves little buffer for weather on the Wild Coast. One day is ideal for the Remutaka Rail Trail section from Maymorn to Cross Creek or Featherston.
The usual start is Petone Wharf, at the beginning of the Hutt River Trail. The official finish is the Ōrongorongo River mouth after the Wild Coast Track. You can also join at Maymorn for the Rail Trail, or at Featherston and Ocean Beach for later sections. The remote finish means you need a pre-arranged shuttle or a plan to ride out via the Wainuiomata Connector.
Difficulty changes by section. The Hutt River Trail is Grade 2 and mostly flat. The Remutaka Rail Trail is Grade 2–3 with historic tunnels and a gentle climb. Western Lake Road is Grade 3 with rural road riding and wind exposure. The Wild Coast Track is Grade 4: remote, rocky, sandy and sometimes unrideable in places. The trail as a whole is not “easy.”
For most people, the Remutaka Rail Trail from Maymorn to Cross Creek is the best one-day option. It delivers tunnels, native bush, railway history and the Siberia Gully suspension bridge in a manageable 25km. Extending to Featherston or Greytown works well for stronger riders who still want a supported day finish.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail is the complete 122km Great Ride from Petone to Ōrongorongo. The Remutaka Rail Trail is one section of that route, crossing the Remutaka Range between Maymorn/Kaitoke and Cross Creek. Booking a one-day Rail Trail ride does not mean you are riding the full Remutaka Cycle Trail. The trail was formerly known as the Rimutaka Cycle Trail, and some older maps still use that spelling.
Beginners can enjoy the Hutt River Trail and much of the Remutaka Rail Trail, especially Maymorn to the summit. The full trail, and particularly the Wild Coast, is not suitable for beginners. If you are new to multi-day riding, start with a supported one-day Rail Trail tour and build from there.
Yes — the Remutaka Rail Trail is a popular family day ride when paced sensibly. Younger riders usually do best from Maymorn toward the summit and tunnels, with lights for the dark sections and a plan for the steeper Cross Creek side. The Wild Coast is not appropriate for children.
Yes. E-bikes are permitted on the Remutaka Cycle Trail. An e-mountain bike is the most versatile choice for the full route, especially if you want assistance on climbs and enough battery for remote coastal riding. Bring spare capacity and check charge options before committing to multi-day itineraries.
A hybrid or gravel bike can suit easier day sections such as the Hutt River Trail. For the full Remutaka Cycle Trail, a mountain bike or e-mountain bike with wider tyres is the safer choice. Carry puncture repair gear, and always take a strong light for the Rail Trail tunnels.
Wellington–Wairarapa train services can be a useful way to reach Petone, Maymorn and Featherston, but bike space is limited and some services restrict bikes. Check Metlink rules for your travel date, especially peak services, and have a shuttle backup if you are travelling with a group.
The trail finishes at a remote coastal point, so you should arrange return transport before you start. Options include a pre-booked shuttle from Ōrongorongo, riding the Wainuiomata Connector loop back toward Petone, or using Green Jersey luggage transfers and supported tour logistics so you are not stranded at the finish.
Coverage is patchy. You may have service through the Hutt Valley and near towns, but expect gaps on parts of the Rail Trail and long stretches of the Wild Coast. Do not rely on a phone alone in remote sections — carry a first-aid kit, tell someone your plan, and consider emergency communication for the coastal day.
For one-way day rides and full-trail itineraries, a shuttle makes the logistics far simpler. Cross Creek, Featherston, Greytown, Ocean Beach and Ōrongorongo are common pick-up points. Green Jersey can arrange bikes, shuttles, luggage transfers and accommodation so you can focus on the riding.
The trail can be ridden year-round, but conditions matter. Summer brings longer days and heat; spring can be changeable; winter is cooler and sometimes calmer. The Wild Coast in particular needs settled weather. Always check current forecasts and trail alerts before committing to remote sections.
Tell us how many days you have, which sections you want, and whether you need bikes, shuttles or accommodation. We will help you build a Remutaka Cycle Trail plan that matches your group.