QUEEN CHARLOTTE
TRAIL INFO
2-3 Days 73.5km
Track
TRAIL GRADE:
GREAT RIDE • QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK
MERETOTO/SHIP COVE TO CAMP BAY, 28.5KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) to GRADE 4 (ADVANCED) CAMP BAY TO TŌREA SADDLE, 24.5KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) to GRADE 4 (ADVANCED). Kenepuru Saddle to the Bay of Many Coves Campsite is GRADE 5 (EXPERT) TŌREA SADDLE TO ANAKIWA, 20.5KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) to GRADE 4 (ADVANCED). Climb from Torea Saddle is GRADE 5 (EXPERT)
Queen Charlotte Track © MarlboroughNZ
BEST FOR: A challenging, multi-day ride that will leave you puffed, but impressed.
SHIP COVE to ANAKIWA 2-3 days
73.5km
Incredibly beautiful and rich in human history, the Marlborough Sounds is a magical place of deep blue bays, beaches, forest and viewfilled ridgelines. The Queen Charlotte Track takes visitors deep into its reaches.
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on’t be under any preconceived idea that this ride won’t test your endurance. Those jaw-dropping views you seek are found from ridgelines, after long, relentless climbs. There are many sections that skirt the shoreline, traversing from one idyllic bay to the next, but this track is graded as intermediate
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to advance for good reason. Some areas, such as the ridgetop sections of the central part are listed as Grade 5. However, day trips are a feasible choice for less advanced riders and if you’re overnighting, backpacks can be transferred to your accommodation by local operators, allowing for a lighter ride.
ADD-ON TRAIL Queen Charlotte Drive: 40km/2–4 hours This spectacular, winding path links Picton to Havelock. The Anakiwa end of the Queen Charlotte Track is just 4km away from Linkwater, found halfway along this route.
Along the way, various lodges offer comfortable stays. In fact, so isolated are these far-flung hideouts, they feel pleasantly unattainable to the outside world. From beginning to end, the journey never waivers from extraordinary. From secret coves to saddles and ridges offering stupendous views, this 73.5km track is commonly regarded as one of the best singletrack mountain bike rides in New Zealand. We have a feeling you’ll agree.
Top Tip – A unique feature of this track is that entry and exit paths are accessed mostly by boat, starting with a scenic cruise from Picton to Meretoto (aka Ship Cove) to commence your ride.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Patchy along the first section of trail, from Meretoto to Camp Bay. From Camp Bay to Anakiwa there is reasonable signal most of the way. DRINKING WATER: Water supplies are limited, particularly in the peak, dry season. Fill up your bottles from reliable sources before you set off each day. TYPE OF BIKE: A ship-shape mountain bike is essential. In accordance with Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails’ policy, e-bikes are not permitted on trails graded 4 and above. PLEASE NOTE: Sections of the QCT between Kenepuru Saddle and Anakiwa cross private land and require a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) Pass. A QCT Land Cooperative Pass is required for all private land sections of the QCT between Kenepuru Saddle and Anakiwa. See www.qctlc.com to purchase and for more info. ROAD CLOSURES: The Kenepuru Road and some side roads to the track are closed due to extreme storm damage at least until autumn 2022. Access to the track by road is only available at Anakiwa. The rest of the track is accessible by boat only until the Kenepuru Road reopens. For more information on current road conditions please see www.marlborough.govt.nz GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) GRADE 4 (ADVANCED) GRADE 5 (EXPERT)
