Overview
The Great Taste Cycle Trail in New Zealand runs for a little more than 100 miles from Nelson and is best explored over a spread of several days. If you are pushed for time but want to explore its sections, this 4 Day Great Taste Trail Delight Cycle Tour focuses more on riding with a 4-day itinerary without losing the beauty or opportunities to sample the regions produce, and includes two longer cycling days to start with, finishing with more time in Mapua and Nelson. This bike ride will let you experience some of the most popular and coastal sections of the trail that pass through wineries, galleries, breweries, cafés and viewpoints, allowing you to make frequent stops to take in the view and enjoy latte.
Upgrades to electric bikes (e-Bikes) are available at extra cost. Riding an E-bike is a great way to enjoy the Alps 2 Ocean trail. Our E-bikes are equipped with the latest technology with a smooth electric motor to provide extra assistance whenever needed. They also come with a comfortable upright riding position.
Accommodation
Standard accommodation is the perfect option for those looking for a clean, simple and comfortable way to enjoy their cycling holiday. Locations include ensuite bathrooms and will either be equipped with a kitchenette or local dining options will be a short walk away. Please be aware accommodation is incredibly hard to secure and groups of more than six are difficult to place as it is very boutique.
- Motels
- Hotels
- Lodge
- Private Room
- Breakfast included if hotel
Details
Difficulty: 3
Departures
October to May only
Start: Nelson
Finish: Nelson
Includes:
- Standard bike hire for 4 days – including helmet and rear rack bag. Upgrades are available. (Own bike and gear is also an option)
- 3 nights accommodation
- Luggage transfers each day (Max 15KG per bag)
- 3 breakfasts, 1 Lunch
- Māpua Ferry Crossing
- Trip itinerary, directions and trail map info
- Entry to Classic Car Museum
- Entry to Hidden Sculpture Garden
Pricing:
Cost per person twin share
October 2024 - May 2025*
- from NZ$1,179
*Nov 2024, Feb-March 2025 (High season)
- from NZ$1,279
Upgrade to e-Bike: NZ$224 per person
Currency ConverterOverview
The Great Taste Cycle Trail in New Zealand runs for a little more than 100 miles from Nelson and is best explored over a spread of several days. If you are pushed for time but want to explore its sections, this 4 Day Great Taste Trail Delight Cycle Tour focuses more on riding with a 4-day itinerary without losing the beauty or opportunities to sample the regions produce, and includes two longer cycling days to start with, finishing with more time in Mapua and Nelson. This bike ride will let you experience some of the most popular and coastal sections of the trail that pass through wineries, galleries, breweries, cafés and viewpoints, allowing you to make frequent stops to take in the view and enjoy latte.
Upgrades to electric bikes (e-Bikes) are available at extra cost. Riding an E-bike is a great way to enjoy the Alps 2 Ocean trail. Our E-bikes are equipped with the latest technology with a smooth electric motor to provide extra assistance whenever needed. They also come with a comfortable upright riding position.
Accommodation
Standard accommodation is the perfect option for those looking for a clean, simple and comfortable way to enjoy their cycling holiday. Locations include ensuite bathrooms and will either be equipped with a kitchenette or local dining options will be a short walk away. Please be aware accommodation is incredibly hard to secure and groups of more than six are difficult to place as it is very boutique.
- Motels
- Hotels
- Lodge
- Private Room
- Breakfast included if hotel
Itinerary
Open AllYour trip starts mid-morning with a meet & greet at our new depot right on the trail. After settling on the fit for your bike, our staff will then set you on the trail to ensure you navigate through Nelson’s trails all the way to Pic’s Peanut Butter World, the start of your taste experience. This can be an excellent place for an early lunch.
The path follows the formed trail to leave the Waimea estuary (until day 4) as you cycle south, passing grapevines along the way. Another great opportunity for lunch is the HQ Cafe in the lovely township of Brightwater. Rest a while to taste some of the region’s great flavours.
From nearby Wakefield, the trail slowly climbs to Belgrove and the final climb to ride the route of the trains long gone up to Spooners Tunnel. At 1.35 km in length, this is the longest decommissioned tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, and a headlamp and jacket is a must!!
From the tunnel exit down to Kohatu Café, the trail descends on wooded trails to finally reach your next coffee fix. On the short ride to Tapawera, the trail flows north through the numerous hop farms the region is famous for.En-route, we stop at the Sculptured Gardens for a fascinating break off bikes. Eventually, we roll into the rural town and our accommodation for the night.
The exciting new trail development is evident as the trail crosses the Motueka River, starting with a gentle ride on quiet rural roads down to the Wangapeka Valley and then turns inland towards Kahurangi National Park.
The hop farms mix with the rural landscapes before finally starting the gradual 2km climb to the top of the spur overlooking the Baton River. The descent is somewhat steeper but quickly emerges into the Baton River catchment and an exciting new 50m suspension bridge which takes us across to the road and out to Woodstock.
The ride on West Bank Road always has the presence of the Motueka River as part of the appeal, and its swimming spots provide a welcome break. As riders get closer to Riuwaka, the many orchards, hop gardens and rural surroundings signal the coast ahead. Accommodation tonight is overlooking the Riuwaka orchards and dining at the historic hotel.
Retracing our steps via the Riuwaka Hotel brings us to the coast; we then loop back through Port Motueka and divert to Motueka township for a late breakfast. Motueka is worth exploring before heading around and then into the Lower Moutere Valley.
Roadside orchards abound, and the Riverside Café & Gardens are worthy of a stop. The trail gradually rises to the high point view over the Tasman Bay before heading back to the coast and weaving its way to the coastal town of Māpua with its many shops and beautiful accommodation.
Explore Māpua before you relax over a coffee on the jetty in one of the eateries in this idyllic setting before crossing the ferry to Rabbit Island for the final leg home to Nelson.
The trail passes through the exotic forests before crossing the mainland and heading back around the coast, crossing another of the spectacular bridges. As the trail approaches Richmond, the landscape changes before we re-join our tracks and continue towards Monaco and the famous Classic Cars Museum.
The route back to our depot requires re-join the cycle path and follow the signs back into Nelson and our depot for your onward journey.
Cost per person twin share
October 2024 - May 2025*
- from NZ$1,179
*Nov 2024, Feb-March 2025 (High season)
- from NZ$1,279
Upgrade to e-Bike: NZ$224 per person
Itinerary
Open AllYour trip starts mid-morning with a meet & greet at our new depot right on the trail. After settling on the fit for your bike, our staff will then set you on the trail to ensure you navigate through Nelson’s trails all the way to Pic’s Peanut Butter World, the start of your taste experience. This can be an excellent place for an early lunch.
The path follows the formed trail to leave the Waimea estuary (until day 4) as you cycle south, passing grapevines along the way. Another great opportunity for lunch is the HQ Cafe in the lovely township of Brightwater. Rest a while to taste some of the region’s great flavours.
From nearby Wakefield, the trail slowly climbs to Belgrove and the final climb to ride the route of the trains long gone up to Spooners Tunnel. At 1.35 km in length, this is the longest decommissioned tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere, and a headlamp and jacket is a must!!
From the tunnel exit down to Kohatu Café, the trail descends on wooded trails to finally reach your next coffee fix. On the short ride to Tapawera, the trail flows north through the numerous hop farms the region is famous for.En-route, we stop at the Sculptured Gardens for a fascinating break off bikes. Eventually, we roll into the rural town and our accommodation for the night.
The exciting new trail development is evident as the trail crosses the Motueka River, starting with a gentle ride on quiet rural roads down to the Wangapeka Valley and then turns inland towards Kahurangi National Park.
The hop farms mix with the rural landscapes before finally starting the gradual 2km climb to the top of the spur overlooking the Baton River. The descent is somewhat steeper but quickly emerges into the Baton River catchment and an exciting new 50m suspension bridge which takes us across to the road and out to Woodstock.
The ride on West Bank Road always has the presence of the Motueka River as part of the appeal, and its swimming spots provide a welcome break. As riders get closer to Riuwaka, the many orchards, hop gardens and rural surroundings signal the coast ahead. Accommodation tonight is overlooking the Riuwaka orchards and dining at the historic hotel.
Retracing our steps via the Riuwaka Hotel brings us to the coast; we then loop back through Port Motueka and divert to Motueka township for a late breakfast. Motueka is worth exploring before heading around and then into the Lower Moutere Valley.
Roadside orchards abound, and the Riverside Café & Gardens are worthy of a stop. The trail gradually rises to the high point view over the Tasman Bay before heading back to the coast and weaving its way to the coastal town of Māpua with its many shops and beautiful accommodation.
Explore Māpua before you relax over a coffee on the jetty in one of the eateries in this idyllic setting before crossing the ferry to Rabbit Island for the final leg home to Nelson.
The trail passes through the exotic forests before crossing the mainland and heading back around the coast, crossing another of the spectacular bridges. As the trail approaches Richmond, the landscape changes before we re-join our tracks and continue towards Monaco and the famous Classic Cars Museum.
The route back to our depot requires re-join the cycle path and follow the signs back into Nelson and our depot for your onward journey.
