PureTrails New Zealand
Operating cycling New Zealand holidays since 2004.
The tour company was established in 2003. Initially they offered walking tours around the South Island, as well as a supported cycle tour of the Otago Rail Trail. Following the popularity of cycling in NZ, purpose built new cycle trails were developed under the guise of the ‘Nga Haerenga – The New Zealand Cycle Trail’. This led PureTrails New Zealand to developed numerous other South Island cycle trail tours, eventually focusing solely on cycling New Zealand from 2014.
Our cycle tours are extremely well organised and meticulously planned, ensuring your cycle tour experience is hassle free. Nothing is left to chance. We adopt a casual, empathetic and relaxed approach to daily tour leadership, resulting in an organised yet unobtrusive style of travel.
Their cycling New Zealand tours are designed primarily for the senior active traveller. It’s not to say that the tours are any less active, it just means the peer group is much the same age, averaging around 63 years. Most of the guiding team fall into this category too!
Over the years, our business has expanded and we have been very lucky to find some wonderful individuals to help guide our tours and develop PureTrails into one of the highest regarded tour operators in New Zealand. We are dedicated to giving you a unique and memorable South Island cycle tour experience, and feel privileged to have this opportunity.
Canterbury Backcountry Trail
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
5 days (Bike: 5 days)
180 km (~36km per day)
Occasional cyclist
Mixed on/off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 1825
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Get off the tourist trail and cycle around Mid Canterbury’s dramatic glacial valleys and braided rivers that formed the Canterbury Plains
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
Around the Mountains Trail
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
5 days (Bike: 4 days)
186 km (~47km per day)
Leisure cyclist
Off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 1875
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Beautiful rural Southland farmland surrounded by towering majestic peaks, coupled with magical beech forests and glacial lakes
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
Alps to Ocean Trail
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
5 days (Bike: 4 days)
203 km (~51km per day)
Leisure cyclist
Off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 1900
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Cycling on the easier sections of the Alps 2 Ocean Bike Trail
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’
West Coast Wilderness Trail & Beyond
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
6 days (Bike: 5 days)
200 km (~40km per day)
Occasional cyclist
Off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 2000
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Showcasing the South Island’s dramatic upper West Coast region
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
Otago Rail Trail Classic
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
5 days (Bike: 4 days)
150 km (~38km per day)
Occasional cyclist
Off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 1875
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Cycle through beautiful ‘big sky’ country, Central Otago’s ‘timeless land’, on the iconic and original NZ cycle trail
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
Central Otago Trail
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
6 days (Bike: 5 days)
187 km (~37km per day)
Leisure cyclist
Off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 2275
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
Incredible scenery and excellent cycle trails
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
Alps to Ocean Trail Epic
Tour Operator: PureTrails New Zealand
New Zealand
6 days (Bike: 5 days)
300 km (~60km per day)
Active cyclist
Mixed on/off-road
Guided
Supported
Prices from
Guided
NZ$ 2250
Overview
Tour Operator PureTrails New Zealand
A challenging cycle from the majestic snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps all the way to the Pacific Ocean at Oamaru
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