Alps To Ocean Cycle Trail

Stretching over 300 kilometres from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is New Zealand's longest continuous cycle trail. This epic journey follows braided rivers, past turquoise lakes, and through charming Mackenzie Country towns, offering a quintessential Kiwi cycling adventure. The trail is well-graded and mostly off-road, making it accessible to fit recreational cyclists, with e-bike hire widely available.

Highlights & What to See

• Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park: Start or end your ride with views of New Zealand's highest peak – the trailhead at Braemar Station offers iconic photo ops.
• Lake Pukaki & Lake Tekapo: Cycle alongside these stunning glacier-fed lakes, whose milky turquoise waters are unforgettable.
• Twizel: A friendly town with great cafés and the perfect spot for a rest day – try the local salmon.
• Omarama Clay Cliffs: A short detour to these otherworldly rock formations is well worth the pedal.
• Waitaki River Valley: Pedal through dramatic gorges and past historic hydro dams, with the river guiding you to the coast.
• Oamaru: Finish in this charming Victorian town, home to steampunk culture, blue penguins, and excellent bakeries.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most cyclists take 4–6 days to complete the full trail, riding 50–80 km per day. This allows time for photo stops, short detours, and enjoying the towns along the way. If you're short on time, you can sample the best sections as day rides – particularly the Aoraki to Twizel stretch (about 2–3 hours by bike). For a self-drive itinerary, you can park at one end and use shuttle services to return to your car.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Aoraki/Mount Cook Village: Add a day for glacier walks or scenic flights before or after your cycle.
• Lake Tekapo: Famous for the Church of the Good Shepherd and dark-sky stargazing – a perfect pre-ride stop.
• Christchurch: The nearest major city, with excellent bike shops and a vibrant food scene – start your journey here.
• Waitaki Valley: Explore the vineyards and limestone formations of this underrated wine region.
• Oamaru's Victorian Precinct: Spend an afternoon browsing galleries and spotting little blue penguins at dusk.

Please check official sources for current details.