Wellington Regional Trails

Remutaka Cycle Trail

About the trail

All Great Rides of New Zealand promise spectacular natural beauty and unforgettable experiences. But there’s one that offers all this and more.

From railway tunnels, river swims, and rugged coastlines to historical sites, native bush and peaceful farmland, the Remutaka Cycle Trail has it all. The spectacular ride is one of 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand and winds through diverse grades and environments.

Running between the Petone foreshore and Palliser Bay on the Cook Strait, the trail can be cycled or walked in either direction. At 122km in length over four sections, the full ride can be completed in 2–3 days for a leisurely ride.

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Starting at Petone Wharf, the trail runs along  through the Remutaka Ranges into rural Wairarapa. From there, an out-and-back route takes riders into Featherston before tracking southward towards the Cook Strait and wild southern coast, ending at the mouth of the Ōrongorongo River. Here the Wainuiomata Connector Ride provides an on-road option to take you back to Petone, or ride along the coast with land-owner permission.

With many entry points and varying from easy to advanced levels, you can tailor your experience to suit, whether that’s a multi-day full-immersion adventure or a short family day trip. Tours and bike hire are available, and there are plenty of opportunities to hop off the trail and explore the regions.

Getting there

The trail starts in Petone, a 15-minute drive from Wellington CBD and less than 30 minutes from Wellington Airport (a 20 kilometre ride).

You can start your journey by biking directly from Wellington Airport to the CBD. Ride on-road to Petone (14 kilometres), get there by train from Wellington Station, or drive. 

If you’re driving, public parking is available at most entry points along the trail, or take a shuttle with one of our trail partners.

Regular train services link Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, and Wellington CBD. Only a limited number of bikes are allowed on the trains on a first-come first-served basis. Some peak hour services won’t carry them at all, so it’s important to check ahead and avoid peak times. Check the Hutt Valley or Wairarapa lines or ‘Plan My Journey’ on Metlink.

A cyclist is riding on a suspension bridge on the Remutaka Cycle trail in Upper Hutt.

Bike hire, tours, door-to-trail shuttles and baggage transfers are available for single or multi-day rides. 

Wildfinder

Wildfinder offers all-inclusive cycle tour packages, bike and e-bike hire, shuttles, bag transfers, accommodation, and food services. They’re also happy to give free advice to DIY adventurers. 

Green Jersey Explorer Tours 

Green Jersey offers a variety of tour options to explore the trail, as well as shuttles and accommodation. They also have a range of bikes available for hire. 

Find more providers in Partner Directory 

How was your ride?

Let us know by completing our survey and go into the monthly prize draw to win cycle books from the Kennett Brothers. Your feedback helps us build a better trail.

Remutaka Cycle Trail Survey