WEST COAST WILDERNESS Trail
GREYMOUTH
ROSS
4-5 days
133km
Stretching from Greymouth’s historic port to the neat old gold town of Ross, this easy trail takes riders on a journey through the Coast’s incredible natural landscapes, and back in time to Māori pounamu (greenstone) gathering and the glittering gold rush era.
T
here’s no better way to get up close to the West Coast’s lush rainforest, pristine rivers, tranquil lakes and rugged beaches, with the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps a truly sublime backdrop – especially in winter, a fabulous time to ride. Easy to reach and to ride, the
spectacular multi-day trail retraces old packhorse tracks, tramlines, railways, water races and historic bridges, linked by flowing singletrack. Many natural wonders are revealed along the way, while small towns and heritage sites offer a chance to delve deep into the region’s fascinating history.
GREAT RIDE • WEST COAST WILDERNESS TRAIL
BEST FOR: An easy to access and an easy to ride venture into Aotearoa’s green heart.
Lake Kaniere © West Coast Wilderness Trail
Divided up into four roughly equal sections, this trail runs between Greymouth (the West Coast’s ‘big smoke’) and the small old gold town of Ross. We describe it on the following page in that north-to-south direction, but note that it’s equally enjoyable ridden in either direction. With each leg taking around three to five hours, there’s plenty of time to check out attractions and linger in scenic spots along the way; factor in an extra day to dawdle and detour if your itinerary allows. Unique points of interest include the twists and turns of an historic water race, a West Coast Scenic Waterways Cruise in the beautiful Mahinapua Scenic Reserve, a cup of Billy Tea and fireside chat at Trappers Rest and so much more. Accommodation, shuttles and luggage transfers make it easy to ride the whole trail, or experience it on a range of different day trips. TOP TIP – Ask the weather gods for sunshine but expect a compulsory West Coast wet day (or days). On the upside, if anything is going to look good in a downpour, it’s this green beauty.
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