HURUNUI Trail
Five Rivers, Around the Mountains Cycle Trail © Tourism NZ
KAIKŌURA to CHRISTCHURCH 3-5 days
260km TRAIL INFO
BEST FOR: Submerging yourself into the rural life, where every inch of scenery confirms that our countryside is seriously good-looking. HEARTLAND RIDE • HURUNUI TRAIL
3-5 Days 260km
TRAIL GRADES: ALL GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) KAIKŌURA TO MT LYFORD VILLAGE MT LYFORD VILLAGE TO WAIAU WAIAU TO CULVERDEN CULVERDEN TO HURUNUI BRIDGE
Hurunui Trail, Mt Lyford to Kaikōura © bennettandslater.co.nz BELOW: St James Cycle Trail ©Bevan Triebels
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South Island’s rural beauty is allconsuming. This is a ride where you’ll stop often, bike stationed before yet another glorious landscape while you pause to appreciate the rolling views.
resh country air, punctured pleasantly by the rich smell of farmland, the Hurunui Trail provides a quieter, safer alternative to SH 1, through gorgeous countryside communities laced by large pastoral farms, tussock land, creeks, rivers, vineyards and hilltops crackled with remnants of snow.
the trail can be ridden in either direction via a series of low traffic country roads. Cars are infrequent but trundling tractors must be expected. Cattle being moved may also slow your progress, but is there anything more delightfully rural than stopping to watch a farmer work their land?
Connecting Kaikōura to Canterbury,
The journey will see you crossing
TOP TIP – If you want more, this trail is conveniently close to the St James Cycle Trail Great Ride, as well as the Molesworth Muster, Rainbow Trail and Little River Rail Trail Heartland Rides.
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HURUNUI BRIDGE TO WAIKARI TURN OFF
both the Kowhai and Waiau rivers, using a mix of seal and gravel roads over a mostly flat terrain, but with just enough segments of undulated track to allow for some fun slopes. Fling your legs up and re-enact childhood. There is an opportunity just past the small village of Culverden to detour off the trail by 36km to Hanmer Springs. Cyclists feeling the aches of exertion will welcome the hot pools at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. Back on the main track, solitude is an expected highlight; sometimes there will be nothing but you, the road and views as far as the eye can see, but keep a look out for ancient landforms chiselled into their new faces by the massive 2016 earthquake, the beautiful vineyards of the Waipara wine region and limestone outcrops along Pyramid Valley Rd. Once in Christchurch, your ride expels its agricultural cloak, and the fizz, pop, whizz of a modern city takes centre stage.
WAIKARI TURN OFF TO AMBERLEY AMBERLEY TO KAIAPOI KAIAPOI TO CHRISTCHURCH MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Generally good with just two trail sections currently with no coverage – 50km of the Inland Kaikōura Rd (10km from Kaikōura through to Mt Lyford); and also a 12km section on Broxton, MacDonald Downs and Ram Paddock roads in the hills to the north of Amberley. FOOD & WATER: There are numerous cafés and shops in all the towns on the route, with the longest unserviced stretch the 61km between Kaikōura and Mt Lyford Lodge. TYPE OF BIKE: With approximately 20km of gravel, a sturdy touring style bike is recommended. E-bikes, with sufficient battery capacity, are permitted in accordance with New Zealand Road Code. Riders should ideally have basic mechanical skills and carry a tool kit; most villages on the route have general mechanical repairs available. GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
