Pure Trails New Zealand

We see a number of historic farms of Canterbury’s early run-holders and enjoy an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Rakaia River.

The Canterbury Cycle Trail package holiday is a collection of cycle rides totaling 180km that Pure Trails have put together that showcase the South Island’s dramatic Mid Canterbury region. The tour features 72% cycling on sealed roads and 28% cycling on gravel roads. The riding is rated Grade 1 and there are a few gentle hills that can be skipped if desired.

Canterbury Cycle Trail Tour Highlights:
Enjoy up to 180km of Grade 1 rated cycling
Take in the amazing and majestic vistas of the Southern Alps
Relax beside the crystal clear alpine lakes
Cycle Canterbury’s vast braided river valleys
Take an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Rakaia River
Visit Erewhon Station‘s famous Clydesdale horses
Learn the history of Canterbury’s early run holders

The 186km NZ cycle trails ride consists of a mix of purpose built firm gravel cycle trails, and gravel public roads.
Our Pure Trails mountain bike tour of the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail features 55% cycling on NZ cycle trails, and 45% cycling on gravel roads. Although we rate days 1, 2 & 3 as Grade 1, overall we rate the trail Grade 2 due to some moderate climbs on Day 5 that can be skipped if desired. The new Lake2Lake cycle trail from Te Anau to Manapouri is included in our trip and is a real highlight.

Around the Mountains Cycle Trail Tour Highlights:
Cycle the 186km Around the Mountains cycle trail
Take in the spectacular scenery of Southland and the Eyre Mountains
Visit Lake Manapouri and enjoy the stunning views across the lake
Take a walk in the magical beech forest of Fiordland National Park
Enjoy the comforts and soak up the relaxing atmosphere of Te Anau
Cycle the new Lake2Lake Trail, from Te Anau to Manapouri
Bike the remote road through Mt Nicholas Station to Walter Peak
Finish your journey with a cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw

As well as some excellent cycle rides, this tour is great for people who enjoy wine tasting and pampering themselves, with the thermal hot pools and spa at Hanmer Springs guarantying relaxation. The food is also a highlight of this trip!

The 148km Kaikoura Trail cycle tour features 90% cycling on sealed roads and 10% cycling on gravel roads and trail. The riding is rated Grade 1 and there are a few gentle hills that can be skipped if desired.

Kaikoura Trail Cycle Tour Highlights:
Enjoy 148km of cycling featuring country landscapes, wild coastlines & vineyards
Cycle alongside vineyards at Waipara and Marlborough
Relax in Hanmer Springs Thermal Hot Pools
Explore the stunning Kaikoura Coastline post-quake
Enjoy winery lunches in Waipara & Marlborough
Visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

The Alps 2 Ocean Trail EASY tour features 100% cycling on gravel cycle trails. The riding is rated Grade 1 and there are a few gentle hills that can be skipped if desired.

This tour is a great alternative to the full Alps to Ocean Trail EPIC cycle tour for those wanting a more relaxed and ‘pain-free’ cycle experience. There is ample time for exploring the glacial lakes and alpine towns, and general ‘mountain-gazing’.

Alps 2 Ocean Trail EASY Cycle Tour Highlights"
Cycle 203km on the easier sections of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail
Take in the amazing and majestic vistas of the Southern Alps
Cycle beside the surreal aqua blue glacial lakes and hydro canals
Admire the engineering of the Waitaki Valley hydro scheme
Step back in time in Oamaru’s splendid Victorian Precinct
Star gaze in the ‘Aoraki Mackenzie international dark sky reserve’

The West Coast Wilderness Trail & Beyond tour features the 130km West Coast Wilderness Trail as well as the new Kawatiri Coastal Trail around the stunning Cape Foulwind coast that Pure Trails have put together that showcase the South Island’s dramatic upper West Coast region, with 200km of cycling in total.

This trip takes in the upper west coast featuring lots of additional sightseeing at places of geological and historical interest. It is a great trip for those wanting to get off the tourist trail and see the wild west coast, as well as enjoying some great West Coast cycle trails along the way.

The 200km West Coast Wilderness Trail & Beyond tour features 10% cycling on gravel roads, and 90% cycling on a purpose built gravel cycle trails. Overall the riding is rated Grade 1.

West Coast Wilderness Trail & Beyond Tour Highlights:
Cycle the West Coast Wilderness Trail, featuring native forest and wild coastline
Climb to the treetops and admire the forest from above at the Treetop Walkway
Visit the spectacular Hokitika Gorge
Enjoy cycling the stunning wild coastline on the new Kawatiri Coastal Trail
Learn the gold mining, logging and farming history of our early pioneers
Explore the small towns of Punakaiki, Charleston & Westport

The Otago Central Rail Trail tour passes through many small communities, some dating back to the 1860s, allowing you to experience a huge amount of history of one of NZ’s special places, and one that will exceed your expectations time and again. Our RELAXED tour features an extra day at Wedderburn to simply slow down and enjoy the rural lifestyle, relaxing and watching the morning light change from your cottage balcony, and seeing a bit more of the Maniototo area. Many of the 4th/5th generation farming families still live locally and enjoy conversing with those cycling the Otago cycle trail. Enjoy exploring the original stone pubs and meet the locals famous for their ‘Southern hospitality’.

The Otago Central Rail Trail rates as among the easiest of all the cycle trails in New Zealand, and is a good trail to start with if you are new to cycling. Being a disused railway corridor originally built for steam trains, the 150km Otago cycle trail’s gradient is a very gentle incline and as such the Otago Central Rail Trail is rated easy to negotiate with no steep hills or obstacles.

Otago Central Rail Trail Tour RELAXED Tour Highlights:
Cycle the 150km Otago Central Rail Trail through ‘big sky’ country
Feel the warmth of the famous ‘southern hospitality’
Explore the historic gold mining town of St Bathans
Try your hand at the ancient sport of curling in Naseby
Visit Clachanburn Gardens, a magnificent Garden of National Significance

The Otago Rail Trail passes through many small communities, some dating back to the 1860s, allowing you to experience a huge amount of history of one of NZ’s special places, and one that will exceed your expectations time and again. Many of the 4th/5th generation farming families still live locally and enjoy conversing with those cycling the Otago bike trail. Enjoy exploring the original stone pubs and meet the locals famous for their ‘Southern hospitality’.

The Otago Rail Trail rates as among the easiest of all the cycle trails in New Zealand, and is a good trail to start with if you are new to cycling. The 150km cycle trail is a disused railway corridor originally built for steam trains so the gradient is a very gentle incline and as such the Otago bike trail is rated easy to negotiate with no steep hills or obstacles.

Otago Rail Trail Tour Highlights:
Cycle the 150km Otago Rail Trail
Enjoy the scenery and meeting the people of Central Otago
Feel the warmth of the famous ‘southern hospitality’
Explore the historic gold mining town of St Bathans
Visit Hayes Engineering Works

The ‘Central Otago Trail’ features a collection of cycle trails alongside the rivers and lakes of the stunning Central Otago district including Arrowtown, Cromwell, Wanaka, Clyde and Roxburgh. 

This tour is a visual feast with mountains and pristine lakes everywhere you look, fantastic Autumn colours (during April), fun and challenging cycle trails, as well as great local food and wine.

The Central Otago Trail cycling is all on purpose built cycle trails. Days 4 & 5 are on the stunning Dunstan Cycle Trail and the Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail, which, due to the nature of being narrow gorges, features some well benched zig-zag climbs/descents. 

Our support vehicle is available throughout the tour. 

Central Otago Trail Tour Highlights:
Cycle 187km of purpose built cycle trails around Central Otago’s stunning lakes & rivers
Ride the Gibbston River Trail; Lake Hawea Trail; Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail; Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Trails
Indulge in fresh Central Otago produce and local wines
Explore the local arts, crafts, and cottage industries in Arrowtown, Cromwell & Clyde
Experience the colours of the seasons
Enjoy an exhilarating and informative jet boat ride in the Roxburgh Gorge
Dial out and enjoy a week away in this stunning part of NZ

The Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail is a challenging, yet achievable, 300km cycle trail that consists of a mix of purpose built firm gravel trails, and sealed and gravel public roads. The trail starts from the awe inspiring snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps, heads into the tawny tussocky Mackenzie Basin, down to the fertile farmland of North Otago and finally to the coast at Oamaru, a delightfully impressive Victorian city.

This tour offers a challenging but rewarding ride through some of the best scenery in the South Island.
Our Pure Trails bike tour package of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail features 100% cycling on gravel cycle trails/roads. The riding is rated Grade 2-3 and there are a few longer rides and challenging climbs that can be skipped if desired.

Alps to Ocean Trail EPIC Cycle Tour Highlights:
Cycle 300km on the Alps 2 Ocean Trail from mountains to sea
Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Mackenzie Basin
Bike through film locations used in ‘The Hobbit’ & ‘Lord of the Rings’
Admire the engineering of the Waitaki Valley hydro scheme
Explore the small communities of Omarama, Kurow and Duntroon
Discover the Maori Rock art and limestone rocks of North Otago
Step back in time in Oamaru’s splendid Victorian Precinct