Rail Trail section, Remutaka Cycle Trail

Walking time

Varies

Length

25.4km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking

Type

Shared trail

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Mountain Bike Grade

Intermediate: Grade 3

Profile

437m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

Looking into a valley in the Remutaka Range, where the Remutaka Cycle trail and swingbridge can be seen.

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

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

2 bikers at the summit of the Rail Trail Section on the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

About the ride

This second section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail traces a historic railway through the Remutaka Range. A varied ride, it’s great for families and popular for day trips.

Day trips can start the ride at Maymorn, or for a slightly shorter ride, start from Kaitoke where you’ll find the Wildfinder bike rental hub. If starting from the Wairarapa side, you’ll begin at Cross Creek. Parking is available at all of these points.

From Maymorn to Summit the trail is wide and well-maintained, graded easy (Grade 2). There’s a gentle incline on gravel double track up to Summit, then it’s single downhill along the historic Fell Locomotive Incline, through the 500-metre Summit Tunnel and across the Siberia Gully swing bridge.

After Summit the trail becomes an intermediate/Grade 3 mountain biking track. It is narrow in places, with people travelling in both directions. It is prone to washouts and there are some exposed drop-offs to navigate carefully.

At the bottom you’ll emerge at the Cross Creek entrance and into the Wairarapa Valley. If this is the end of your ride, you can arrange a shuttle provider to meet you here or ride a further 10km to Featherston. Otherwise, continue on to section 3.

Cyclists going along the Siberia Gulley Bridge on the Remutaka Cycle Trail.

Getting there

Bike hire and shuttle services are available.
By train: Take the Wairarapa Line from Wellington to Maymorn Station. If taking a bike check the Metlink timetable for information, updates, and its bike policy.
By car: Take State Highway 2 to Maymorn Station. If starting from Kaitoke the turn-off is signposted at Pākuratahi Forest with the car park 1km along a metal road.