Mountain Biking on the West Coast© NZPocketGuide.com
Mountain Biking on the West Coast

Mountain Biking on the West Coast

© NZPocketGuide.com

Bike Trails on the West Coast

See more of the rugged beauty of the West Coast region on two wheels. Whether you’re looking for an easy scenic trail or a multi-day backcountry mission, there is a bike trail on the West Coast to suit. Those looking for something easy-going should look at trails in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, as well as the multi-day West Coast Wilderness Trail. Those looking for something more hardcore should definitely set their sights on Reefton and the Old Ghost Road. We go through all the West Coast biking highlights with this guide to mountain biking on the West Coast.

The Grades of Difficulty for Mountain Biking in New Zealand

As you’ll see from the descriptions below, there are varying difficulties for cycling trails in New Zealand. It’s important to assess your own fitness and ability before venturing on a bike trail, so you can find something either challenging enough or not too much of a mission.

  • Grade 1 – Easiest track with a smooth, flat surface.
  • Grade 2 – Easy with some gentle climbs and avoidable obstacles like rocks.
  • Grade 3 – Intermediate with steep hills and some avoidable obstacles.
  • Grade 4 – Advanced level track with long steep sections, narrow tracks and obstacles you might have to ride over.
  • Grade 5 – Expert is technically and physically challenging.
  • Grade 6 – Extreme level is for people who know their shit. Possible manmade or natural jumps.

By the way, have you seen Mountain Biking in New Zealand: A Complete Guide?

Schwede66 on Wikipedia© Schwede66 on Wikipedia

West Coast Wilderness Trail

Distance: 136km (84.5 miles)
Time: 2-4 days
Grade: 2

This scenic cycle trail runs between Greymouth in the north and Ross in the south, passing through towns like Kumara and Hokitika. The trail traverses tracks carved by gold miners taking in a wealth of landscapes, from the floodwalls of Greymouth, through rainforest, along glacial rivers and along the coast.

West Coast Wilderness Trail Sections

  • Greymouth to Kumara – 31km (19.2 miles)
  • Kumara to Cowboy Paradise – 36km (22.3 miles)
  • Cowboy Paradise to Hokitika – 36km (22.3 miles)
  • Hokitika to Ross – 33km (20.5 miles)
Sven Martin - Tourism NZ© Sven Martin - Tourism NZ

Old Ghost Road

Distance: 88km (54.6 miles)
Time: 2-3 days
Grade: 4

A real backcountry experience for adventurous mountain bikers, the Old Ghost Road follows long-forgotten miners’ trails through seven “ghost towns”. The trail features native forest, alpine tops, river flats and expansive valleys. There are six huts along the trail, four of which must be booked. The Old Ghost Road runs between Lyell (along the Buller Gorge) and Seddonville (47km/29 miles) north of Westport).

Old Ghost Road Trail Sections

  • Lyell Campground to Lyell Saddle Hut – 18km (11.1 miles)
  • Lyell Saddle Hut to Ghost Lake Hut – 12km (7.5 miles)
  • Ghost Lake Hut to Stern Valley Hut – 13km (8 miles)
  • Stern Valley Hut to Goat Creek Hut – 14km (8.7 miles)
  • Goat Creek Hut to Mokihinui Forks Hut – 8km (5 miles)
  • Mokihinui Hut to Specimen Point Hut – 3km (1.8 miles)
  • Specimen Point Hut to Seddonville Trailhead – 17km (10.5 miles)
Pierre Lavaurs on Wikipedia© Pierre Lavaurs on Wikipedia

Heaphy Track

Distance: 78.4km (48.7 miles)
Time: 2-3 days
Grade: 4

This New Zealand Great Walk is open to mountain bikers between 1 May and 30 November. The advanced trail traverses the northern West Coast coastline, through ancient rainforest and on sub-alpine tussock lands on its journey to Golden Bay in the Nelson Tasman region. There is hut accommodation along the way, which must be booked with the Department of Conservation. The Heaphy Track starts at Kohaihai (16km/10 miles north of Karamea) and ends near Collingwood.

Heaphy Track Trail Sections

  • Kohaihai Shelter to Heaphy Hut – 16.2km (10 miles)
  • Heaphy Hut to Lewis Hut – 8km (5 miles)
  • Lewis Hut to James Mackay – 12.5km (7.7 miles)
  • James Mackay Hut to Saxon Hut – 11.8km (7.3 miles)
  • Saxon Hut to Perry Saddle Hut – 12.4km (7.7 miles)
  • Perry Saddle Hut to Brown Hut – 17.5km (10.8 miles)
Mountain Biking on the West Coast© NZPocketGuide.com

Paparoa Track & Pike29 Memorial Track

Distance: 55km (34.1 miles)
Time: 1-2 days
Grade: 4

Traverse through the Paparoa National Park on this New Zealand Great Walk trail between Blackball and Punakaiki. Either ride the Paparoa Track, taking in river gorges with limestone features, rainforest and alpine tops, or ride the Pike29 Memorial Track (starting from the Pike River Mine Interpretation Centre) delving through the stunning Pike Valley rich in mining history. There are two Department of Conservation huts along the trail which must be booked. Find out more about the trail in The Complete Guide to the Paparoa Track.

Paparoa Track & Pike29 Memorial Track Trail Sections

Option 1: Smoke-ho car park to Waikori Road car park
Day 1: Smoke-ho car park to the Moonlight Tops Hut – 19.9km (12.3 miles)
Day 2: Moonlight Tops Hut to the Waikori Road car park – 35.8km (22.2 miles)

Option 2: Pike River Mine Interpretation Centre to Waikori Road car park
Day 1: Pike River Mine Interpretation Centre to the Pororari Hut – 24.1km (15 miles)
Day 2: Pororari Hut to the Waikori Road car park – 17.1km (10.6 miles)

Option 3: Smoke-ho car park to Pike River Mine Interpretation Centre
Day 1: Smoke-ho car park to the Pike River Mine Interpretation Centre – 36.1km (22.4 miles)

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

Bike Trails in Westport

Kawatiri Beach Reserve (Grade 1-2)

Kawatiri Beach Reserve holds a network of flat bike trails meandering through the trees. Extend this trail on the Kawatiri River Trails on the junction of North Tiphead, Coates Street and Craddock Drive.

The trails are accessible from Beach Drive or the junction of North Tiphead, Coates Street and Craddock Drive.

Charming Creek Walkway (Grade 3)

A 1-2 hours (one way) track over an old railway line alongside a river gorge and packed with waterfalls, tunnels, mining artefacts and surrounded by native bush. Access from State Highway 67 in Ngakawau (31km/19.2 miles north of Westport).

Denniston Plateau (Grade 2-4)

Enjoy around 50km (31 miles) of mountain biking tracks of varying difficulties in the Denniston Plateau, ranging from 30-minute circuits to full-day rides. Check out the full bike trail map on the Department of Conservation brochure. Access is along State Highway 67, 25km (15.5 miles) north of Westport.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

Bike Trails in Reefton

Kirwans Track a.k.a The Everlasting Downhill (Grade 5)

Enjoy 10km (6 miles) of downhill dropping 1000m (3280ft) from top to bottom! There is a heli bike option, otherwise, you can ride up from the Boatmans Road Department of Conservation car park, taking 3-5 hours to ride uphill and 1h30min-3 hours to ride downhill.

Reefton to Big River (Grade 3)

The Big River area holds many remains from a gold mining past and huge machinery. Look out for the native kaka parrot among the beech trees on this 2-3 hour trail.

Stay in the Big River Hut and extend your trip From Big River to Waiuta (a further 3-4 hours).

Reefton Lookout and the Zigzag Track (Grade 3)

Take the Lookout Track starting 650m (2133ft) down Soldiers Road. Ride up to the lookout with vibrant views of Reefton and the surrounding mountains. Follow the forestry road to the Zigzag Track which is a downhill ride back to Reefton. Allow 40 minutes to 1 hour to complete the loop.

For more details on each of these trails and more, see out Mountain Biking in Reefton.

Allie_Caulfield on Flickr© Allie_Caulfield on Flickr

Bike Trails in Greymouth

Croesus Track (Grade 3-5)

The Croesus Track is a shared hiking and mountain biking track between Blackball and Barrytown. Either slog your way uphill or treat yourself to a heli-bike experience from Greymouth. The track follows an old miners’ trail to the Ces Clark Hut (2 hours), where you’ll then have multiple short trail options: the Garden Gully Track, Croesus Knob Track or ride to Barrytown (3-4 hours).

Moonlight Pack Track (Grade 5)

Ride along another historic miners path on this advanced mountain bike trail. The trail is 32km (20 miles) and usually takes 4-6 hours to complete. Access is 9km (5.6 miles) north of the Blackball on the Moonlight Valley Road (narrow gravel road).

Napoleon Hill (Grade 3)

Take this adventurous ride on a 4×4 gravel road featuring old gold mining settlement, tunnels and creeks. You’ll need the landowner’s permission, call Robyn and Malcolm Smith (+64 3 732 3849). Access if via Ahaura, 34km (21 miles) north of Greymouth. The Napoleon Hill trail ends at Waipuna-Clarke Road (a 30-minute drive from the start point).

Pixabay© Pixabay

Bike Trails in Hokitika

Blur Spur & National Tracks (Grades 2-5)

A bike park full of mountain biking trails through pine forest. Trail maps are available at the Hokitika i-SITE. Ride to the park along the Hokitika Heritage Walkway.

Kaniere Water Race (Grade 4)

The ride is mostly flat but does feature a few technical sections and some stairs where you will need to carry your bike. The trail follows an old water race through native forest. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Totara Valley (Grade 1)

Enjoy an easy-going scenic ride along a quiet West Coast valley on the Totara Valley Track. Allow 3-4 hours to complete this 40km return journey.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

Bike Trails in Franz Josef, Fox Glacier & Haast

Te Ara a Waiau Cycleway (Grade 1)

Ride from Franz Josef town through native bush growing in the Franz Josef Glacier valley. The ride finishes at the Glacier car park. Allow 1 hour to complete the return trip.

Fox Glacier South Side Cycleway (Grade 2)

Ride from Fox Glacier town through the Fox Glacier valley through vibrant native forest. The trail starts from the south end of the Fox River bridge. Return the same way taking approximately 1 hour.

Cattle Track (Grade 5) [CLOSED TO CYCLISTS]

Follow an old trail made by farmers in 1875. The 1-2 day trail is an advanced backcountry experience through river valleys. The trail is signposted off State Highway 6, 43km north of Haast.

See 6 Best Walks in Haast for more information.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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