Remutaka Cycle Trail day rides

Stretching across 122 kilometres, there are plenty of ways to tackle the trail. If you’re time-poor, these single-day rides are an easy way to get a taster. Although its starting point is close to the city, the Remutaka Cycle Trail features a bit of everything. Stunning scenery, urban paths, and native forests to rail trails, tunnels, swing bridges, and wild coastline.

For added convenience, Wildfinder and Green Jersey offer bike hire and shuttle services.

The exterior of the Petone Settlers Museum, a museum located in the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial, a historic building in Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

Petone foreshore is a flat sealed path that connects to other cycle trails.

Petone to Maymorn

Start your ride on the East By West ferry from the city to Days Bay. It’s then an 8km ride around the bays to join the beginning of the trail on Petone’s foreshore. Alternatively, drive or train to Petone and soak up the views of Wellington Harbour. Nearby Jackson Street offers great food and shopping.

When you’re ready, begin your journey along Te Awa Kairangi. The mostly flat 35.2km ride follows the river toward the Remutaka Range.

3 people biking along the Hutt River Trail next to large autumn trees.

The Hutt River Trail Section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

It’s an easy ride suitable for all abilities along a mix of wide sealed and gravel paths. You’ll go past some cultural sites and Hikoikoi Reserve, Avalon Park, and Harcourt Park, all perfect places for picnics.

Take a break and head off-trail in Lower Hutt and check out the Dowse Art Museum. It boasts one of New Zealand’s largest and most significant public art collections with more than 3,500 items.

Continue up the river valley to the end of the Hutt River Trail just after a small bridge. Take a hard right up Maymorn Road to get to the train station for your return journey to Wellington. Or, turn around and retrace your tracks back to the start.

By bike or by train, it’s worth a stop at Brewtown in Upper Hutt to quench your thirst and refuel. Just a few minutes from the train station, it’s the ultimate destination for craft beer, food and entertainment. As well as some of Wellington’s top breweries there are fun activities including go-karting, escape rooms, and axe throwing.

Three bikers on a gravel path at the summit building of the Remutaka Cycle trail.

Maymorn to Featherston

Discover history and heritage across 34.4km of trail. This day ride is part of the Rail Trail section. Take the train to Maymorn station on the Wairarapa Line from Wellington to connect to the trail. Or, you can drive to the starting point at Kaitoke for a shorter ride.

It’s a gentle incline on a well-maintained Grade 2 track to the summit. For most of the way, the track follows the Pākuratahi River and passes by impressive tunnels and bridges. It’s worth checking out the storyboards along the way to learn about the railway history.

Once you reach the summit, stop to rest, refuel, and take in the views. Heading towards the Wairarapa region, you’ll pass through five old railway tunnels, including the spooky Summit Tunnel (576m above sea level). Make sure you take a torch!

Two bikers going through a dark tunnel on the Rail Trail Section on the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

After you encounter the impressive Siberia Gully suspension bridge, the trail becomes an intermediate or Grade 3 mountain biking track.

The most challenging section is just past Cross Creek Station. The trail narrows with uneven surfaces prone to washouts. Watch out for exposed drop-offs in places. Experienced riders may look forward to this challenging section, but if you’re a less confident rider then hop off and walk your bike.

At the bottom, you’ll come to the Cross Creek entrance. You’ll pass by the historic Cross Creek settlement where the old railway community lived and worked.

Featherston is 10km down the road and is a great pitstop. You can sample locally-made cheeses at C’est Cheese, grab a coffee or bite to eat at Everest Café and enjoy refreshments at the Royal Hotel. Take a wander through the Fell Locomotive Museum, and visit one of the many secondhand bookstores.

To return to Wellington, retrace your steps. Or if you’re done for the day, jump on a train at Featherston station. Rest and relax on the journey through the Remutaka Range and back to either Maymorn or Wellington. Alternatively, stay the night at one of the Featherston-based accommodation providers.

2 bikers going over the Siberia Gully bridge, on the Rail Trail Section on the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

The Siberia Gully suspension bridge.

Featherston to Ocean Beach

It’s about an hour’s drive from Wellington to Featherston, or take the Wairarapa Line by train.

From Featherston, expect a gentle descent to the coast through the countryside. You’ll pass a small settlement of fishing baches perched on the rugged south coast of the Wairarapa region. This is also where this section ends.

The 42.5 km trail is a mix of sealed country roads and off-road single tracks. It is rated intermediate or Grade 3 because it requires some on-road riding.

2 bikers cycling along the track next to the road, on the Western lake Road Section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

Along the way, you’ll meander through farmland and around bird-filled lakes. Take a break in the grassy area alongside Lake Wairarapa.

Further along, you’ll pass sheep and cattle farms. You’ll also come across Lake Ōnoke, part of the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Park, where indigenous and migratory waterbirds flock.

The final part of the journey brings you into the settlement of Ocean Beach and the rows of classic Kiwi holiday homes. Organise a shuttle to return to your car, or return to Wellington by train from Featherston.

Plan your ride

Green Jersey and Wildfinder can help you plan your ride on the Remutaka Cycle Trail with equipment hire, shuttles, trail advice, and guided tour options.

Find out more about Green Jersey or Wildfinder

Remutaka Cycle Trail

There’s something for everyone on this exhilarating and historic 122 kilometres cycle trail connecting Wellington to the Wairarapa region.

Remutaka Cycle Trail half-day rides

The Remutaka Cycle Trail is one of the Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand. It promises spectacular natural beauty and unforgettable experiences. It can be split into shorter half-day sections. This allows riders of different abilities to enjoy this trail.

Looking out over the Petone wharf towards Wellington.

Hutt River Trail section

Remutaka Cycle TrailTake a gentle ride along Te Awa Kairangi with swimming and picnic stops on the way.

Rail Trail section

Remutaka Cycle TrailTake an invigorating ride tracing an historic railway line through stunning native bush.

Western Lake Road section

Remutaka Cycle TrailA gentle countryside ride along the shores of Lake Wairarapa, ending at the wild South Coast.

Two cyclists on the beach in Palliser Bay, at the entrance to the Wild Coast Section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

Wild Coast Trail section

Remutaka Cycle TrailThe final and most scenic section includes a windswept ride along a remote and rugged coastline.