What’s the mobile phone coverage like (Remutaka)?

Coverage varies:Hutt River Trail: Generally good.Remutaka Incline Trail: Around 75% coverage.Coastal sections: Limited coverage; Spark offers the best service in these areas.It’s advisable to carry a secondary communication device, such as a Spot Tracker or EPIRB.

Bike and Gear: Modern mountain bike with gel saddle, front suspension, and ergonomic grips; helmet; and a repair kit (spare tube, pump, and tyre levers).Storage and Safety: Carrier rack and pannier bag for personal items, plus lights for navigating the tunnels.

Height and Age Suitability: Designed for riders between 110 cm and 190 cm tall, making it ideal for most ages.Trip Durations:2 hours: Reach Summit, explore the tunnels and swing bridge, then return to Kaitoke.4 hours: Perfect for a picnic, exploring Summit, or going to Cross Creek and back.6 hours: Enjoy the full trail, side tracks, a swim, and leisurely exploration of all the highlights.Extras: Add-ons like Kids Seats, Trailers, and Bike Insurance are available during booking.Starting Point: Begin your adventure at Wildfinder’s Kaitoke base, conveniently located at the trailhead.

Overview FAQs

Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Hire at Kaitoke

North Island

Wildfinder

from

AU$24

Cyclists crossing a historic railway bridge on the Remutaka Rail Trail, surrounded by native New Zealand bush

Experiences

Cycle Hire

Family-friendly Tours

Half-Day Tours

North Island

Start: Kaitoke, Upper Hutt

Locations: Upper Hutt, Wellington

Duration: 1-7 hrs

Minimum Height: 1.1m

This self-guided mountain bike hire departs from Kaitoke, letting you explore the Remutaka Rail Trail through native bush, historic tunnels and railway bridges at your own pace. Bikes are available daily, with suggested rides of 2, 4 or 6 hours and up to 7 hours overall. Hire includes a mountain bike, helmet, tunnel lights, pannier, carrier rack and repair kit, and suits riders from 110–190 cm tall.

Ride from Kaitoke Through Tunnels, Bridges and Native Bush

Set out from the Kaitoke trailhead and follow the former railway route as it climbs gradually into the Remutaka Ranges. The gentle rail gradient makes the ride approachable for a wide range of cyclists, while historic tunnels, bridges and railway remains give you plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Lights are provided for the tunnels, and interpretation panels reveal the story behind the old railway and the engineering required to cross the ranges.

How far you go is up to you. Allow around two hours for a return ride to the Summit, where you can explore the tunnels and swing bridge, or choose four hours for more time to picnic and explore. With around six hours, you can make a fuller day of the trail, adding side trips, swimming and more time among the native bush and railway heritage before returning to Kaitoke.

Two cyclists crossing a swingbridge on the Remutaka Cycle Trail in Wellington

Man biking across swingbridge on Remutaka Cycle Trail in Wellington

Woman biking through the Remutaka Rail Incline Trail on a sunny day

Shaded dirt path winding through native bush on the Remutaka Incline Trail

Two mountain bikes parked beside a Wildfinder shuttle van

Cyclist riding along the gravel trail at Summit on the Remutaka Cycle Trail near Kaitoke

Woman cycling across a shallow stream on the Remutaka Cycle Trail in Wellington

Cyclists crossing the swingbridge on the Remutaka Cycle Trail rail trail section

Mountain bike parked near a tunnel entrance along a gravel trail in Kaitoke

Two cyclists riding through native bush on the Remutaka Cycle Trail

Bike and Gear: Modern mountain bike with gel saddle, front suspension, and ergonomic grips; helmet; and a repair kit (spare tube, pump, and tyre levers).
Storage and Safety: Carrier rack and pannier bag for personal items, plus lights for navigating the tunnels.

Height and Age Suitability: Designed for riders between 110 cm and 190 cm tall, making it ideal for most ages.
Trip Durations:
- 2 hours: Reach Summit, explore the tunnels and swing bridge, then return to Kaitoke.
- 4 hours: Perfect for a picnic, exploring Summit, or going to Cross Creek and back.
- 6 hours: Enjoy the full trail, side tracks, a swim, and leisurely exploration of all the highlights.
Extras: Add-ons like Kids Seats, Trailers, and Bike Insurance are available during booking.
Starting Point: Begin your adventure at Wildfinder’s Kaitoke base, conveniently located at the trailhead.

Cancel 24 hours or more before travel: Full refund**
Cancel within 24 hours: No refund.

Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Coverage varies:

Hutt River Trail: Generally good.
Remutaka Incline Trail: Around 75% coverage.
Coastal sections: Limited coverage; Spark offers the best service in these areas.

It’s advisable to carry a secondary communication device, such as a Spot Tracker or EPIRB.

There are a few spots along the Hutt River Trail. It’s recommended to carry at least two filled bottles each day, especially since there are no water stops along the Wild Coast/Orongorongo sections.

Yes, public toilets are available at various points, though facilities are limited between Cross Creek and the Wild Coast. Refer to the trail maps for exact locations.

The Remutaka Cycle Trail is a 115km network from Petone to Orongorongo. The Remutaka Incline Trail (also known as the Remutaka Rail Trail) is a 25km section from Maymorn to Cross Creek.

A form of ID (driver’s license, passport), payment method (cash, EFTPOS, or credit card), and optionally a camera and extra food and water.

Closed shoes (e.g., sneakers), shorts or tight-fitting pants, a t-shirt for riding, a fleece or light jacket for resting, and waterproofs in case of rain.