11 minute read
ALPS 2 OCEAN Cycle Trail
AORAKI MT COOK VILLAGE to ŌAMARU, 6 days, 306km
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Are you ready for pit stops like no other? From picnics under snow-capped mountains to refreshing swims in alpine lakes, things are about to get extraordinary. Currently New Zealand’s longest cycling trail, this one takes you from the Alps to the ocean over six incredible days.
The trail is split into nine parts ranging from easy to intermediate, so it’s also possible to create a day trip. Alternatively, you could tick off a couple of sections over the course of a weekend. The benefit of making it a multi-day affair is staying at various lodges, motels and cosy B&Bs.
Riders can start from either Tekapō or Aoraki Mt Cook from where a mix of sealed road, dirt and grass pathways, as well as smooth and rough shingle make up the route. Tracks weave between the chalky-white mountains of Mt Cook National Park, vast open plains such as the Pūkaki Flats, springy forest trail and six expansive lakes, including the phenomenally blue lakes of Pūkaki and Tekapō.
You’ll take in the lofty views of Aoraki Mt Cook reflecting in Lake Pūkaki, and a small detour leads to the hoodoo-style rock formations at Clay Cliffs. You’ll climb to the highest point on the trial to marvel at the Mackenzie Basin and enjoy long stretches of fast downhill. This ride also takes in as many small towns, pubs, cafés and vineyards (specifically in Waitaki wine country) as it does natural highlights, so you’re never too far from good food and a yarn with the locals. Your ride concludes when you reach the Pacific Ocean next to Ōamaru.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES
LAKE TEKAPŌ TO TWIZEL, 54KM -GRADE 2 (EASY)
BRAEMAR RD TO TWIZEL, 42KM - GRADE 2 (EASY)
TWIZEL TO LAKE ŌHAU LODGE, 38KM - GRADE 2 (EASY)
LAKE ŌHAU LODGE TO ŌMARAMA, 45KM - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
ŌMARAMA TO ŌTEMATATA, 35KM - GRADE 2 & 3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)
ŌTEMATATA TO KUROW, 45KM - GRADE 2 & 3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)
KUROW TO DUNTROON, 28KM - GRADE 2 (EASY)
DUNTROON TO ŌAMARU, 54KM - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage ranges from perfect to patchy. WiFi at cafés & accommodation.
DRINKING WATER: Available in the towns along the trail. There are some long stretches without water, so it will pay to plan ahead.
TYPE OF BIKE: A ship-shape mountain bike is essential for the terrain. E-bikes (up to 300kw) are permitted.
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.alps2ocean.com/ trail-status https://www.facebook.com/ Alps2OceanCycleTrail https://www.instagram.com/ alps2ocean/
Tasman Lake
Lee Cook
RIDING THE TRAIL
AORAKI MT COOK TO BRAEMAR RD, 35KM
The trail starts at White Horse Hill Campground, 2km north of Aoraki Mt Cook Village, offering riders the chance to soak up the stunning mountain scenery before setting off down a glacier-carved valley. It’s just over 7km to Mt Cook airport where a short helicopter-hop transports bikes and riders across the Tasman River to Tasman Point. Please note there is a charge for the helicopter ride and it must be booked in advance. The trail is a little bit lumpy as it winds alongside the Tasman River’s braided waters, which eventually empty into the turquoise blue of Lake Pūkaki. After 10km of riverside trail, Jollie Car Park marks the start of a 17km gravel road section to Braemar Rd. If you wish to avoid the helicopter crossing there are several alternative starts: Lake Tekapō, Tekapō B Power Station or Jollie Car Park.
LAKE TEKAPŌ TO TWIZEL, 54KM
The trail’s alternative start takes in the striking contrasts of the Mackenzie Country’s turquoise blue lakes and canals, surrounded by golden tussock plains and bound by majestic mountain ranges. Leaving Tekapō township, the trail heads off on gravel tracks past Tekapō A Power Station, and on to the long but rather lovely Tekapō Canal Rd which is closed to vehicle traffic. The road passes two salmon farms and reaches Tekapō B Power Station. The trail then drops down to Lake Pūkaki and meets Hayman Rd where riders join the Aoraki Mt Cook section of trail following the shoreline to Pūkaki Dam and across the tussock-covered flats to Twizel.
BRAEMAR RD TO TWIZEL, 42KM
The trail follows a quiet country road along the eastern shore of Lake Pūkaki, with notable flora and fauna and Tekapō B Power Station among the highlights. All eyes, however, will likely be latched on to Lake Pūkaki and the Southern Alps, all the way down to the bottom of Hayman Rd where an off-road trail heads towards Pūkaki Dam. After the dam, riders will have their sights set on the laid-back little town of Twizel, an oasis of green streets amidst the desert-like Pūkaki Flats.
TWIZEL TO LAKE ŌHAU LODGE, 38KM
The next leg heads out on a pretty country road to reach Loch Cameron at the 6km mark – a great place for a swim if time and temperature are on your side. Just ahead, across the canal bridge, a straight easy pedal leads to the edge of Lake Ōhau. The Ben Ōhau Range dwarfs all and sundry as you follow the lake foreshore across Ōhau Weir and onward along the lake past Lake Ōhau Village to the Lodge. Note: there is no way across Ōhau Weir when it is in flood, so be sure to check this link https://alps2ocean.com/trail-status for updates.
LAKE ŌHAU LODGE TO ŌMARAMA, 45KM
It’s a gentle 6km warm up to Freehold Creek. The next section has a 300m climb to conquer over a generous 5km. The trail then winds through golden meadows and past an historic woolshed before joining the quintessentially rural Quailburn Rd. Checking out the Clay Cliffs is a worthwhile (14km return) side trip off Quailburn Rd if you have time. From the SH 8 junction, Ōmarama (with its soothing outdoor hot tubs) is just a few kilometres away.
ŌMARAMA TO ŌTEMATATA, 35KM
It’s a whole new world after Ōmarama. Over Chain Hills, it’s a big Welcome to the Waitaki Valley with its big blue hydro lakes and little country towns. This short leg takes riders down to Lake Benmore, along its edge past Pumpkin Point and on to Sailors Cutting Scenic Reserve – a popular boating, fishing and camping spot. A new scenic lake shore trail route is under construction (completion due by end 2020) that will avoid the current SH 83 climb from Sailors Cutting over the Ōtematata Saddle.
ŌTEMATATA TO KUROW, 45KM
Stopping for coffee is highly recommended before heading off towards Benmore Hydro Dam – the last 800m to the top of the dam is a bit of a grind. From Benmore Dam (New Zealand’s largest earth dam) the trail follows the road along Lake Aviemore (swimming possible) to the Aviemore Dam. The next 16km of newly built trail delivers grand lake and river views and even a ghost town, before arriving in Kurow, notable for locally produced award-winning wines (and Richie McCaw).
KUROW TO DUNTROON, 28KM
This section follows a smooth shingle path down the Waitaki Valley, traversing ancient alluvial plains and crossing three side rivers. This is the heart of Waitaki wine country – taste it where you can. The trail then hugs the highway as it gets closer to Duntroon, taking a minor detour to Takiroa Māori rock art site along the way.
DUNTROON TO ŌAMARU, 54KM
It’s just 7km from Duntroon to one of the trail’s strangest sights – the huge limestone boulders scattered across a grassy paddock, aptly named Elephant Rocks although mammoths and even hippos may well be imagined. More limestone oddities crop up as the trail leads onward on- and off-road through bucolic farmland to Rakis Railway Tunnel. The trail then hops on and off the railway line through the dots of Windsor, Enfield and Weston, and on to Ōamaru. The town’s magnificent public gardens are a fine prelude to the grand finale of gargantuan Victoria warehouses overlooking Ōamaru Harbour and the Pacific Ocean.
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
C Rutherford/Tourism NZ
MORE MOUNTAIN BIKING, PLEASE
Lake Tekapō
Getty Images
LAKE TEKAPŌ
GODLEY VALLEY TO RED STAG HUT – 25km one way A 4WD track traces the eastern side of the Godley River Valley. Continue up the Godley Valley on stony river flats to Separation Stream where the track concludes.
COWANS HILL – 3.2km circuit This well-formed track sits on the outskirts of Tekapō, just past Lilybank Rd. It is a short circuit track, also used by walkers.
TE KAHUI KAUPEKA CONSERVATION PARK – 13km one way Part of Te Araroa, the Richmond Trail meanders along an old glacial terrace. Enjoy dirt single track and bumpy, technical descents.
LAKE PŪKAKI AND TWIZEL
Lake Pūkaki
ChristchurchNZ
BRAEMAR ROAD TO LANDSLIP CREEK – 10km one way Ride along the top of what is an ancient glacial terrace, leading to Landslip Creek and public conservation land. Return the same way.
TWIZEL RIVER TRAIL – 12km one way A great trip for the entire family, the trail runs parallel to the Twizel River and provides plenty of shaded rest stops and swimming spots.
ŌMARAMA
WAIREPO KETTLEHOLES – 3.5km one way Drive 14km along Quailburn Rd and you’ll see the signpost for Wairepo Kettleholes Conservation Area. Lift bikes over the stile to gain access.
OTAMATAKOU SCENIC RESERVE – 5km one way A short but striking ride through private farmland that gradually climbs to the Otamatakou Scenic Reserve.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
• Aoraki Mt Cook is a bobby dazzler. Get there in time to watch the sun rising over its ice-white peak.
• Lake Pūkaki affords stunning views of the Aoraki Mt Cook mountain range.
• The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve is the world’s largest dark sky reserve, so the star gazing in the villages of Tekapō, Twizel and Aoraki Mt Cook is incredible.
• It is a rite of passage to take a dip in the glacially fed Lake Pūkaki. Yes, it’s cold!
• At Elephant Rocks, the enormous boulders look like a herd of grey elephants grazing in green pastures.
• A slight detour to the unique and immense pinnacles of Clay Cliffs is a must-do.
Clay Cliffs, Ōmarama
Getty Images
• In Twizel, Shawtys Café serves some of the best waffle fries on the planet.
• Take a break at a local winery in the Waitaki area to sample a superb drop of wine.
• Rakis Tunnel is a 500m-long abandoned rail tunnel with no lights. There is an alternative route if that sounds too claustrophobic.
• Ōmarama is famed for its indulgent outdoor hot tubs which are surrounded by bucolic views and tussock land.
• Waimate’s White Horse Walkway 35 minutes from Ōamaru, this two-hour return pathway leads to the White Horse monument of Waimate.
TOP TOWNS ALONG THE WAY
Aoraki Mt Cook Village: Cradled at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, with glaciers on the doorstep and mountains as a backdrop, if this village doesn’t impress, then nothing will. Embark on a boat trip across Tasman Lake, where huge glacial icebergs litter the water, take a scenic flight with a once-in-a-lifetime snow landing, or set off on one of the picturesque hikes.
Lake Tekapō Township: While Lake Tekapō needs little introduction, with its bright turquoise hues, Church of the Good Shepherd and striking purple flowers, the village is charming in its own right. With a small flurry of cafés, motels and restaurants, it’s not huge, but it perfectly complements the premier attractions.
Ōmarama: Soak in one of the famous private baths at Hot Tubs Ōmarama. Dotted under a starlit sky and surrounded by nature, submerge in a basin of pure mountain water until your fingers wrinkle. Speaking of which, the nearby Wrinkly Rams is a sheep shed-cum restaurant with shearing and sheep dog demonstrations. If you’re an aviation enthusiast, book a scenic flight with one of the town’s glider pilots.
Twizel: It’s impossible to ever get sick of Twizel’s vistas. An ever-present Aoraki Mt Cook casts its white glow across the skyline, and in autumn, the foliage erupts with a thousand golden hues. Enjoy one of the many picturesque walks, glide across Lake Pūkaki on a 40-minute hovercraft excursion, or if it’s winter, there are four ski fields nearby.
Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel
Jack Austin
Kurow: Sandwiched between river and mountain range in the Waitaki Valley, Kurow is on the doorstep to a handful of hydro lakes and the braided Waitaki River that is one of the country’ best jet-boating venues.
Duntroon: A small farming town situated at the end of the Vanished World driving trail, which winds through some spectacular geological sites. Dig for fossils at the Vanished World Centre and head to Elephant Rocks where huge deposits of limestone rock resemble a herd of elephants.
Ōamaru: A quirky seaside town skirting the Pacific Ocean and the last stop on your Alps 2 Ocean journey, Ōamaru is pleasantly different. It has its own Victorian Precinct complete with old-fashioned shops, and a Victorian Steampunk museum. Whitestone Cheese is both famous and award-winning, so the factory tour is a must-do, and don’t miss the little blue penguins, the world’s smallest.
Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
C Rutherford
