mtb tours nz

Misty Mountain Hop

Kia Ora means ‘be well’ in the Maori lan­guage. You won’t find it hard to be well in New Zealand, one of the most spell­bind­ing coun­tries on Earth. 

On this incred­i­ble 10-day ride, you’ll ride with ghosts along New Zealand’s most epic back­coun­try track (the now famous Old Ghost Road) and flow through the best rides in the coun­try. You’ll heli drop, boat cruise and shred some of the most thrilling and remark­able slices of sin­gle­track known to Kiwis. Plus, you’ll get to shack up in incred­i­ble and unique accom­mo­da­tions, includ­ing a cozy hut perched 1200 m in the Vic­to­ria Moun­tain Range, a con­vert­ed shear­er’s quar­ters with pic­ture-per­fect views, as well as a mag­i­cal ocean-side eco-lodge acces­si­ble only by water taxi.

Cre­at­ed by two pas­sion­ate and high­ly expe­ri­enced moun­tain bike guides, this trip is every­thing you could pos­si­bly dream of… and so much more.

Price is inclu­sive of all applic­a­ble NZ taxes.

Is This Ride For You?

You are an expe­ri­enced, skilled and fit moun­tain bik­er with sol­id moun­tain bike han­dling skills who gets out to ride fre­quent­ly. You have expe­ri­ence rid­ing in a vari­ety of ter­rain, and can han­dle chal­leng­ing climbs, tech­ni­cal descents, as well as some expo­sure. You can ride for up to 5 hours over sev­er­al days. You live for adven­ture, and the big­ger the better!

Kia Ora Mates!

You’ll be arriv­ing into one of NZ’s sun­ni­est, art­sy fart­sy craft brew lov­ing towns, of beau­ti­ful Nel­son New Zealand. Home to the most epic Moun­tain Bik­ing — aka  IMBA Gold Sta­tus for Moun­tain Bik­ing. Ferns, gold­en beach­es, bike shops, cafes , and google Kiwiana lifestyle shine here mates. Welcome!

This after­noon we’ll meet up and go test our bikes out on some local Nel­son clas­sics, and grab a cold brew or two post ride.

Most of you will have arrived a day or two pri­or to set­tle in and recov­er from jet lag. 

Ris­ing ear­ly to the smell of fresh flat white cof­fees, we’ll be embark­ing on one of Nelson’s most clas­sic moun­tain bike tracks.

Here we’ll gear up and take on the local’s Cop­per­mine Sad­dle Track.  A grunt of a 1000 m climb, start­ing in pine trees, rid­ing through native bush and then ris­ing into the dry alpine with views across the Tas­man Bay. This ride is a real goodie!

The sweat and tears are all worth it for the flowy, red rock down­hill on the Fern Gul­ly Track!

We’ll hop in the riv­er for a swim to cool off, then ride back into Nel­son Town­ship for a cold craft brew in one of our favorite après ride hang outs. 

Since we will be locat­ed cen­tral­ly in Nel­son, we are sur­round­ed by some awe­some MTB trails in any direc­tion. Depend­ing on the group and the weath­er, your guides will choose the most appro­pri­ate back­coun­try trail today. Either ride is an hour or so away from Nel­son, and does require a local’s knowl­edge and logis­tics & transport. 

The Waka­ma­ri­na is an old gold min­ing trail, that’s techy and gnarly filled with heaps of stream cross­ings and fern gul­ly val­leys. Ride up to an old back­coun­try via a super workout.

 The Rame­ka Track is a super shut­tle assist grav­i­ty fed trail, that swoops down through a vari­ety of chang­ing ter­rain into the sweet sur­ren­der of Gold­en Bay. Ride and wash your wor­ries away.

After an ear­ly start, we’ll head west to the ghost town of Lyell and get ready for a good climb up part of the Old Ghost Road.

Here, we’re head­ing into New Zealand’s newest and epic back­coun­try sin­gle­tracks ever made.  We’ll ride up a well grad­ed incline of awe­some sin­gle­track, through mag­i­cal forests and alpine ridge lines of the wild west coast. The Old Ghost Road is NZ’s longest sin­gle­track, com­pris­ing of an impres­sive rugged 87 kms in total. Today, we’ll ride and enjoy a stun­ning part of it!

This after­noon, we’ll head over to the real wild west of New Zealand, and gear up to fly high in a heli­copter!  We’ll strap the bikes up and set off in style to the top of The Vic­to­ria Range to a sweet hut perched in pure beau­ty over­look­ing end­less ridge­lines of west coast wilder­ness at its finest! We’ll be on top of the world mates!

Please Note:  Weath­er and/or rid­ing abil­i­ties may dic­tate the heli-bike to be changed to the Croe­sus Track. Heavy rain does not allow us to chop­per up here. The heli-bik­ing expe­ri­ence requires all bikes to be strapped secure­ly to a rope that hangs under the chop­per in flight. Although the bikes are secured with care, it is like­ly for the bikes to shift dur­ing air trans­port and scratch­es to bike frames may hap­pen. If you are con­cerned with your bike get­ting scratched, you have the option of wrap­ping your bike with foam pads and duct tape. Rent­ing a bike through the add-ons tab is also an option. Sacred Rides is NOT respon­si­ble for scratch­es or dam­ages to bikes.

Ris­ing to the smell of fresh brewed cof­fee and great views, we’ll test our brakes out for our awe­some mis­sion ahead!

We’ll be enjoy­ing a 1100 m descent down the pre­mier Kir­wans Track. We’ll flow through stun­ning Beach tree and Fern Gul­ly forests on this epic tech­ni­cal descent! One of our all time fav’s, that screams adven­ture the whole way down. There’s  just noth­ing like it!

After our ride, we’ll hop in the shut­tle and dri­ve down the Grey Val­ley head­ing inland, up and over the South­ern Alps to the Craigieburn Forest.

Ris­ing to the high dry moun­tains, we’ll get back in the sad­dle for some epic rid­ing in Craigieburn Forest.

Tack­ling an uphill grav­el road to the bot­tom of Craigieburn Ski Field, we’ll take a short rest before head­ing down the well-named Edge trail which leads on to a track called “The Luge”.  After the Luge, a short uphill is fol­lowed by the new Dra­co­phyl­lum and  Hogs­back Track.  This is New Zealand’s sin­gle­track at its best mates… a real hoot — sweet sin­gle­track all the way!

We’ll rest our mus­cles as we dri­ve to the high dry McKen­zie Coun­try to the stun­ning turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, also home to the clear­est skies in the world!

Wak­ing to the beau­ty and stun­ning land­scapes of the Macken­zie Coun­try, we’ve got an inspir­ing sin­gle­track ride to warm up with, in the heart of NZ’s  glaciat­ed peaks. It flows through native Tus­socks along with incred­i­ble views of the turquoise taint­ed Lake Tekapo. A real beau­ty to start the day with.

We’ll then move onto our secret gem of a ride which flows through the best alpine views the South Island has to offer.  Imag­ine rid­ing through NZ’s high­est peaks with MT Cook, sheep and  flow­ers on a super fun cross coun­try ride, end­ing with a cold beer (or two)! Oh yeah and a wee bit of sheep shit.

We’ll ride to our unique accom­mo­da­tion tonight — we’ll be stay­ing in a con­vert­ed shearer’s quar­ters with views to die for.  It doesn’t get more Kiwi than this mates!

Time to head South to some leg­endary sin­gle track in NZ’s dry rocky desert coun­try. This after­noon we’ll ride through some Thyme cov­ered hills, over rocky knol­ly ris­es and hid­den val­leys for a real hoot. You’ll feel like your in yet anoth­er dif­fer­ent coun­try, as you total­ly shift in gears and ter­rain. NZ deliv­ers yet again, straight to the fin­ish line mates!

Yes, that’s right, we’re head­ing to explore some  must-do rides in Queenstown!

Today, we’re up ear­ly for some local Kiwiana break­fast in town and a deli­cious flat white before head­ing to Coro­net Peak for some enduro style rides.

Start­ing with a good climb over­look­ing unre­al views of the Wakatipu Basin, we’ll then descent onto the famous Rude Rock track. Berms, swoops and pure fun on top of Queen­stown. Sweet As! We’ll do a few laps of this before con­nect­ing onto the adren­a­line pump­ing Skip­pers Canyon trail. A good climb out and onto a grand finale trail that takes us all the way to Arrow­town for a well deserved finale brew… high ‑fives all around  — need we say more?

Final morn­ing, your guides will be offer­ing air­port trans­fers or bag drop off to your hotel in Queenstown.

The fol­low­ing data rep­re­sents a typ­i­cal itin­er­ary, but adven­ture trav­el can be unpre­dictable, and our Guides may need to make last-minute changes to ensure your enjoy­ment. Inclement weath­er, road clo­sures, changes to the itin­er­ary to accom­mo­date requests, and oth­er issues may affect the itin­er­ary. The ride data rep­re­sents an ‘aver­age’ itin­er­ary, and may dif­fer when you actu­al­ly show up to ride. Our guides make every effort to stick to the itin­er­ary as post­ed, but your safe­ty is our #1 priority.

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Skill Levels

Black diamond.

The Black Diamond Rides are  suitable for riders looking for that edge. Maybe it’s the edge of a drop, the edge of a cliff, or singletrack requiring focus and fast reactions developed from extensive experience riding “the edge”. You will find yourself on steep trails of varied surfaces. In the Pacific North West that could be slick roots and loam, in Nepal you will find exposed granite in the Mustang Valley and in Guatemala it maybe narrow stairways through cliffside villages. While airtime is rarely required, the ability to find the backside or clean a tabletop should be comfortable or in a state of progress. Obstacles on Black rides are likely to be outside the range of your bikes ability to cover your goofs with its awesome suspension and grip.

Blue Square

In general, Blue trails are narrower than green trails, encounter unavoidable obstacles such as roots, rocks, and drops that are up to 8-inches tall. You will want to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of mountain biking including body positions, powerful braking, cornering, riding on varied terrain, steep sections and experience riding trails that requires line choice. Airtime is not mandatory, but you will find yourself on trails with alternate lines giving you the option.

Double Black Diamond

A Double Black ride is for those that already know they are looking for a Double Black. It’s going to be very hard and require advanced bike handling skills. You will find yourself on trails with sections most non-riders would look at and say, “that’s totally nuts!”. You will know how to look at a line and contemplate where it will work and where it won’t. Drops of a couple feet should be comfortable and getting your bike off the ground should feel predictable and fun.

Green Circle

Typically, green Rides are safe for beginners. Green Rides may have both avoidable and unavoidable obstacles. Trails are generally low grade, wide, consistent surface texture and have minimal features. You are likely to come across unavoidable obstacles 2-inches or shorter, which is small enough for mountain bike tires to simply roll over. More challenging than tarmac, but in general, a wonderful Ride for those riders new to mountain biking or looking for a casual experience.

Fitness Levels

A Black Fitness ride will test you. Aside from needing to be able to manage up to 6 hours on the bike, day after day, including distance up to 50km/30miles and elevation gains up to 1750m/5000feet of climbing, you will be adding extra challenges along the route like periods of hike-a-bike and the extra effort required by the whole body to safely dance with your bike over technical terrain. Generally, riders who are up for a Black Fitness ride, likely spend time on the bike a couple times each week.

Blue should be considered a good deal more effort than our Green Rides.  You should be able to handle 3 to 5 hours in the saddle covering up to 45km/30miles and be able to pull off a big day of 1000m/3000feet of elevation gain. Managing fuel is important as well.  You should have a good understanding how your body responds to multiple days on the bike. We will help with positive coaching, a manageable pace and plenty of trailside snacks.

A Double Black will be for those with the strength and endurance to get to the top of anything they want and understand the term “turning the screw”. Distance could be quite high on some routes and elevation gain numbers could hit 2000m/6000 feet+ in a day. You are likely riding multiple days a week during the dry periods and have a trainer or belong to a gym for the rest of the year.

You should be ready to spend 2-4 hours per day on the bike. Mileage may be up to 30km/20 miles and elevation gain will be under 500m/1500feet. On e-MTB tours, numbers will be higher, however the approximate effort would be considered similar to a standard Green Circle ride. If you get on your bike once a week, you will be just fine. However, when preparing for a Ride, you will benefit from more rides and time in the saddle.

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Storm the south island: tour itinerary.

The itinerary for our incredible mountain bike tour New Zealand has been designed to flow perfectly, maximising your time on the best trails in the most spectacular spots in the South Island, whilst minimising time in the van.

If you’re travelling a long way or across several time zones to New Zealand (which most of you will be!), we recommend arriving into Christchurch a day or two early to allow your body to adjust and to make sure any flight or luggage days don’t spoil your trip.

Your guides will meet you at the H+I recommended hotel on the morning of day 1.

The first day of your mountain bike tour New Zealand starts off bright and early, when your guides will meet you at the designated pre-trip hotel. We’ll transfer to our local base so you can build your bike or get kitted out with a rental.

Once everyone’s geared up, we’ll pack the van and hit the road. Before we set off your guide will go through the all-important pre-trip briefing.

Your warm-up ride and first taste of South Island singletrack, will be a traverse of the volcanic crater rim that separates Christchurch from the impressive Lyttelton harbour. You’ll have the chance to shake-down your bikes and legs after your travels before we drop in to the fantastic Christchurch Adventure Park. You’ll enjoy a mix of flow trails and pedalling, and you’ll get spectacular views out to the Southern Alps which will be our destination later in the tour.

After a couple of laps we’ll chill out on the deck at the Park with a cold drink and lunch, before we head off in the direction of the Southern Alps to check in to our mountain lodge for the night.

We’ll enjoy drinks and dinner as the sun disappears behind the hills.

Eat well and muster up all your strength over breakfast, because today we hit Craigieburn – world-renowned for its flowing singletrack trails that weave and wind through the area’s beautiful beech forests.

The mountainous terrain of the Craigieburn Range has spectacular views that rival the grand majesty of the American Rockies, so we’ll spend most of the day riding through and enjoying the varied trails Craigieburn has to offer. Mountain biking with these incredible views will take your breath away.

Once we’ve had our fill of this epic riding, we’ll drive through the mountains to the historic Gold Mining town of Reefton.

Over a hearty dinner we’ll share stories and prepare ourselves for tomorrow’s ride on the legendary Ghost Road.

The aim of our New Zealand adventure is to show you the best the country has to offer mountain bikers. After revelling in the fabulous singletrack climbs and descents of Craigieburn, today you’ll need to have your climbing legs with you for the first stage of your two-day adventure through the rainforest.

We’ll fuel up at one of the best bakeries in New Zealand, then make the drive to the start of our adventure-within-adventure.

You’ll step out of the van right into the jungle at the foot of New Zealand’s longest singletrack – the Old Ghost Road. At a fairly easygoing incline of 2%, you’ll winch your way up the bench cut forest track to the ridge peak at 1400m.

At 28km, the trail may be long, but it’s also long-standing: originally trekked by gold miners seeking their fortune in the 1870s.

Once the trees thin out and we hit the ridge line, you’ll get a breath-taking panoramic vista of the rainforests below, sprawling out as far as the eye can see. By the time we reach our home for the night, Ghost Lake hut, your provisions will all have been dropped off so you can settle in for a quiet night high above the rainforest. We’ll wash, change and grab a beer on the terrace as we watch the sun set over the rainforest as daylight gives way to an awe-inspiring night sky.

Sitting at an altitude of 1200m, you’ll gaze out into the depths of the universe with unparalleled clarity, just as the miners would have over a century before.

Please note: Ghost Lake Hut is a basic accommodation in the New Zealand rain forest. You’ll be sleeping on basic beds with sleeping bags, in dorm-style rooms with bathroom facilities outside the main building. It’s rustic but absolutely adds to the sense of adventure.

As morning light breaks over the tree tops, the Bell Birds will rise you from your slumber as their distinctive songs echo from the forest canopy. Mother Nature’s way of telling you to get up and ride bikes!

We’ll leave the hut on a singletrack leading down the opposite side of the mountain and back towards civilisation. The track leads through a diverse range of scenery as we make our way towards the valley floor.

The path carves fluidly back through the rainforest on a singletrack trail, leading over bridges that span deep gorges and old landslides in the steep sided valley.

Reaching the bottom of the trail it’s just 10 seconds to our night’s accommodation; a truly unique lodge where Marion Boatwright first conceived the Old Ghost Road. The lodge is the spiritual home of the Old Ghost Road, and as well as learning about the history of the trail, you can enjoy pizza and beers on the deck overlooking the Mokihinuni River.

Your unforgettable post-ride meal and sunset views over the Buller River will provide the perfect close to a truly epic first few days.

After a couple of big days on the bike, we have a day off to rest our legs and cover some miles in the van to our next destination. This is no ordinary transfer, however, as we’ll be driving down the spectacular west coast of the South Island, stopping along the way to stretch legs and take photos.

Much of our drive today will be accompanied by views of the imposing Franz Josef Glacier, which descends 3,000m from its origins high in the Southern Alps, over a distance of 11km, making it one of the steepest in New Zealand.

We’ll break up the drive with stops at the beach, lunch at Hokitika gold town, and a good walk around Okarito lagoon, home to more than 70 species of birdlife.

Your accommodation is a short drive from the glacier, and when we arrive we’ll have time to do a bit of bike maintenance, ready to get back in the saddle around Wanaka tomorrow

We’ll leave Franz Josef Glacier in our wake and drive south to the stunning small town of Wanaka – the unofficial capital of the great outdoors. The town is nestled at the head of Lake Wanaka and pinned in by the Crown Range mountains.

Our ride today is a locals’ version of the Wanaka Trails. We’ll pedal by the mighty Clutha River, through to its Lake Wanaka outlet, and finish lakeside in town. Along the way we’ll enjoy the mountain backdrop, flow trails, and potential for a swim before enjoying a beer in the evening sunshine.

Between the water and the slopes, you’ll see why Wanaka dominates the summer and winter outdoor scene in New Zealand.

We’ll have dinner in another lovely local restaurant and get ourselves psyched up for a fun-filled day tomorrow.

Hope you’re still hungry for more riding, because today we’re tackling the newest ‘bike park’ in the area, the tremendous Glendhu Bay MTB Park.

This is a bike park with a difference and, although you’ll have the benefit of shuttles, you’ll still be riding in magnificent landscapes and doing plenty of pedalling.

We’ll get up high today and enjoy spectacular views to Mount Aspiring and down to Lake Wanaka.

The riding at Glendhu Bay is characterised by (relatively!) easy climbing, big mountain views, rough moorland, and a delicious mix of super-flowy trails and technical descents.

We can do as much or as little as we want today, and prepare for our last few big days of riding in the south of the South Island!

After an amazing day in the Wanaka region you can expect another fine selection of local craft beers before crashing out happily for the night.

After breakfast this morning we’ll drive from Wanaka to our next stop at Alexandra, passing Kawarau Gorge on the way. The Otago landscape is peppered with gold mines and early explorer history, and today you’ll be riding into the thick of it!

Upon reaching the sleepy town of Alexandra we’ll drop in for the obligatory cup of coffee before meeting our local guide, then set out on another ride in a uniquely impressive landscape, adding one more to the mounting collection of amazing rides already gathered on this adventure in New Zealand.

We’ll climb up a dry riverbed that will lead us to a rabbit warren of valleys, all dropping off a high plateau that is pock-marked by massive rock formations that look like they’ve rained down from outer space.

We’ll select the trails – some flowing and fluid, others more rocky and technical – to suit the group and conditions, before finishing at our favourite café at the foot of the trails. Try one of the smoothies, they’re incredible!

In recent years, Queenstown has become a bit of a mountain biking Mecca, but with so many trail choices available, you really need a local to show you around the best routes.

For the last day of your adventure we’re going to enjoy the incredible trails around Rude Rock to the absolute max!

Having already ridden some pretty big days, today we’re minimising the climbing and maximising the descending, riding laps of Rude Rock and Zoots, which will blow your mind.

When you arrive back at your Queenstown accommodation you’ll be ready – and deserving of – that post-ride beer and dinner!

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that means your mountain bike tour New Zealand adventure too.

We’ll transfer you to Queenstown airport at around 9am to catch your flight back to the real world.

The first day of your mountain bike tour New Zealand starts off bright and early at 8.30am, when your guides will meet you at the designated pre-trip hotel. We’ll transfer to our local base so you can build your bike or get kitted out with a rental.

Your warm-up ride and first taste of singletrack here in New Zealand, will be a traverse of the volcanic crater rim that separates Christchurch from the impressive Lyttelton harbour. You’ll have the chance to shake-down your bikes and legs after your travels before we drop in to the fantastic Christchurch Adventure Park. You’ll enjoy a mix of flow trails and pedalling, and you’ll get spectacular views out to the Southern Alps which will be our destination later in the tour.

If time allows we’ll saddle up for another ride before our welcome dinner, this time with more of a ‘big mountain’ feel.

Not wanting to miss a minute of this stunning landscape, we’ll enjoy drinks as the sun disappears behind the hills. When we’ve had our fill of stargazing we’ll bunk up in our shared accommodation and get ready for the start of something truly epic tomorrow.

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​ get ready for the time of your life ride the best mountain bike trails new zealand has to offer, our options, what to expect...

Ollie & Nico were so great to deal with & so helpful, my friend & i went on two tours while we were holidaying in NZ one of them was a Heli Bike tour which was amazing. I highly recommend this company you will have a great experience. Thanks again guys  - Kyle, from Australia - Feb 2019

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Cycling Tours & Bike Trips in New Zealand

Renowned for its incredible natural beauty, the Land of the Long White Cloud offers many cycling trips just waiting to be explored. Whether you're setting off on a mountain bike adventure from Queenstown , riding the scenic Otago Rail Trail or meandering through the fjords and lakes of the South Island, so few words can describe the landscapes that pass you by on a New Zealand cycling trip.

31 New Zealand bicycle tours with 302 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Cycle New Zealand: Otago Rail Trail

Alps to Ocean Classic

The trip was great well put together and great fun

West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail

Exelent tour! Excelent guides!

• Sightseeing

New Zealand E-Bike Adventure

Great guides, great tour;)

• Hiking & Trekking

New Zealand Biking Adventure

This was amazing trip run by seasoned guides through some of the most beautiful places to see in New Zealand.

• Wine tasting

Tour de Hawkes Bay Estates - Self guided

Lake Dunstan and Otago Central Rail Trail

Fantastic cycling holiday - blessed with great cycling weather. The tour guides were wonderful and very understanding of my communication needs as a hearing-impaired person. Thank you!

Southern Lakes Cycle

Chris, our one guide was exceptional. The tour group was very good. Weather was good. What more could you ask for?

Otago Rail Trail Classic

Great West Coast Cycle

Marlborough and West Coast Cycle

Southern Coast Cycle

Ultimate North Island Adventure

This was a great tour! The guides (Lauren and Jonathan) were very accommodating with the different fitness levels of the guests and weather conditions. I loved that the guides cooked some of the meals which allowed us the freedom to relax and share wine and experiences. The hikes were excellent and liked the other activities. Sandboarding, cave tubing and mountain biking were a must do. This tour hit all the great places on the North Island. Highly recommend!

• Kayak & Canoe

Milford and Fiordland Hike Bike and Kayak

amazing week of physical challenges and magnificent natural beauty

• Bike and Barge

Great Taste Trail & Beyond, Bike, Hike & Sail

This was an excellent and well organised tour. We really enjoyed the balance of cycling and hiking and also the less strenuous activities. This was a great way to explore the north coast of the South Island. Our guide, Rob, was excellent. He was enthusiastic at the same time as being relaxed, and we loved learning all about New Zealand from him. Many thanks Rob and Adventure South

New Zealand Bike Tour Reviews

The guides where very enthusiastic and informative. No rush, good accomodations

Regions in New Zealand

• New Zealand South Island (23)
• Southern Alps (9)
• New Zealand North Island (7)
• New Zealand West Coast (7)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Cycling Tour Companies 2024/2025
• 10 Amazing Private Bicycle Tours 2024/2025
• 10 Best Cycling Tours 2024/2025
• New Zealand Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 2 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Best 3 Week New Zealand Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

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South Island Christchurch – Christchurch

December 5-10 2022

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NZD $4350 /person

Price starts.

Available spots

Ride Christchurch Port Hills – Cragieburn Mountains – Heli Bike West Coast Alpine – Old Ghost Road – Backcountry Hut – Canterbury Rides

Fitness: Level 3-5 – Technical Skills: Level 3-5 | Read More

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Sweet Thing

Backcountry single track experience – heli biking – ride part of the old ghost road – kiwi backcountry hut experience – cold brews – local fun commentary – unique accommodations – quality mountain bike adventure, what’s included .

4 Days Of Riding 4 Nights Comfortable Unique Accommodations 1 x Heli Bike 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches , 2 Dinners Daily Snacks A Cold Beverage After Each Ride Specialty Mountain Bike Guides Transport In Comfortable Safe Vehicle Custom Bike Trailer For Safe Transport Of Your Baby (Accepts all wheel sizes) Airport Or Hotel Pick Up And Drop Off Concessions For All Rides The Best Quality Mountain Bike Adventure In NZ

Brief Itinerary Outline

Welcome mates | christchurch arrivals | ride wharfedale track.

G’day and welcome to the Island of Single Track heaven. Your guides will do a group pick in the morning, before allocating bikes and helping people put their bikes together for those who have just arrived. A quick picnic lunch while we’re organising the bikes, before we leave the city behind and blast off to experience our first Single Track ride of the trip. Today we’re going to ride a lesser known track called the Wharfedale, offering a good slice of technical riding, with short climbs and super fun flowy descents. This track weaves through classic native forests opening up to picturesque views across the Canterbury plains. After the ride and a cold brew, we’ll take a short drive to our accommodation for the night set in a small country town in the foothills of Canterbury. Your guides will set up a good BBQ, while we go over the next 4 days of our awesome mountain bike adventure together. Accommodation: Lodge | Canterbury | Meals L, D

Ride Craigieburn Tracks | Transfer To West Coast

Today we’re up early as we set off to Castle Hill basin, home to the Craigieburn Mountains and some of New Zealand’s best single track. We’ll spend a good day taking in 4 of the best tracks starting with a shuttle, and allowing us to tag on each track one after the other, making for a primo day in the saddle! Starting off with a punchy climb on the Lynden Saddle, and then linking on to a super flowy and rooty track called the Luge. From the Luge we’ll tackle the scenic and incredible trails that wind through classic Beech trees and grand vista’s known as the Draccophyllum and Hogsback Track. Its single track bliss in one good hit! After riding, we’ll hit the open road to the town of Greymouth on the Wild West Coast. Accommodation: Hotel |Greymouth | Meals B, L

Ride Old Ghost Road | Heli Bike West Coast Classic Kirwans Track

Off early today as we embark on New Zealand’s newest and longest backcountry single tracks known as the epic “Old Ghost Road”. We’ll ride a part of this beauty trail and offer riders a chance to add an additional Heli Bike today if the weather permits! Those keen on climbing and saving a few bucks can ride up the track starting in the old gold mining settlement of Lyell. It’s a sweet well graded climb through native forest, eventually opening up to stunning views over the Lyell Mountain Ranges. For those living large and opting for a Heli Bike, you’ll be dropped off on a ridge close to the epic “Goat Track” where you can continue riding to Ghost Lake Hut. Once we start heading back we’re in for a slice of NZ’s longest downhill of 26 km’s of flowing single track! When we get back to the van, we’re off to Reefton where we will chopper up to the top of the Victoria Mountains to a sweet backcountry hut, where we’ll spend the night. Just think…Two choppers in one day? Awesome sunsets and technical mini rides around the hut, offer some killer opportunities for photos this evening. Chill back with a cold one, while you embrace this epic day in the Southern Alps backcountry. Accommodation: Backcountry Hut | West Coast | Meals B, L, D

Kirwans Descent | Hamner Springs Riding | Hot Springs Soak

Rising to the sun peeking through heavily misted mountains bordering the Paparoa ranges, this is one sight to remember! After a good brekky it’s time to pack up our gear and hit one of New Zealand’s most classic backcountry single tracks, inclusive of an 1100 M descent known as Kirwans Track. This adventure ride will keep you in check as you practice your skills manoeuvring your bike through heaps of roots, drops and tight corners. Add a few hike a bike sections in there, and it’s on! Kirwans Track is a lesser known gem found in the Victoria Mountains that still offers an authentic rugged Kiwi single track experience. After our ride we’re on the road, over to the East Coast to soak our riding muscles in some Hot Springs in a small town known as Hamner Springs. An afternoon ride is on the menu for those still keen to ride as Hamner Springs has some local fun tracks! This evening is our farewell dinner together as we re- live some adventure highlights of our short and sweet single track getaway! Accommodation: Hotel |Hamner Springs | Meals B, L

Transfer To Christchurch | Trip End

Last morning of the trip, and we have a short 1.5 hour drive back to Christchurch. Your guides will have you back to civilisation by 12 pm, or to the airport for catching a flight home. Flights should be booked after 2pm, allowing for 12 pm check in. Accommodation: Not Included | Meals: B

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All Trip Dates

December 5-10 2022 January 9-13 2023  

Contact Us For More Departure Dates

Physical Requirements

WE WANT TO ENSURE YOU ARE RIDING WITHIN YOUR ABILITY AND FITNESS LEVELS WHEN BOOKING ON ONE OF OUR SINGLE TRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURES. PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL SKILLS & FITNESS LEVELS RATING BELOW. IF YOU NEED MORE CLARIFICATION PLEASE CONTACT US SO WE CAN MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR CHOICE OF TRIP!

+64 22 600 6562

Timber Trail Tour, NZ – All you need to know

The Timber Trail is a unique 2-day ride in the heart of the North Island. One of New Zealand’s most popular Great Rides. We are here to make it even better!

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The Timber Trail Tour is a popular mountain bike trail located in the North Island of New Zealand. We include it in two of our all-inclusive tours . It is a 85km long trail that runs through the Pureora Forest Park, starting from Pureora Village and ending at Ongarue near Taumarunui.

The Timber Trail tour offers a mix of intermediate riding, with some technical sections and moderate climbs and descents. The trail passes through stunning native forests, across suspension bridges, and alongside impressive waterfalls.

Riders can complete the Timber Trail in one or two days, with options for accommodation and shuttle services available along the way. The trail is well-maintained and well-marked, with informative signage providing information about the area’s rich history and ecology. On our trips, we take our time and do it in two days, staying at a very comfortable lodge at the 40km mark.

The Timber Trail is a great adventure for mountain bikers looking to experience some of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural landscapes while challenging themselves on the bike. We have paired this trail with other classic riding in the area so that you can experience some of the trails in the Rotorua & Taupo areas without having to do too much of your own research. Our tours are fully guided with 4-day and 7-day options available for eBikes and mountain bikes.

Our trips are all-inclusive. This means that not only do you ride with an expert guide, but all of your food, accommodation and shuttles are also organized and paid for at the time of booking. The only thing you need to do is show up with your bike (bikes are available for hire if needed).

Get in touch now to enquire and have us organize your ideal mountain biking trip in the North Island, New Zealand.

Check out our YouTube channel to see the bike in action as I chase people down all of the trails in Rotorua and NZ!

New Zealand Mountain Biking offers trips for a variety of mountain bikers. From half day lessons through to 8 day custom trips for hard core riders – we have you covered. Get in touch to see how we can make your experience in New Zealand one for the history books!

Don’t forget to get in touch to come and ride in Rotorua. We offer lessons and tours of up to 7 days!

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Trail alerts

22 April - 29 April 2024 - The Quailburn bridge will be temporarily closed from 7:00am Monday 22nd April until 5:00pm on Monday 29th April 2024. A temporary bridge will be put in place for the cyclists, while the work is being done. 4 May - 5 May - The trail will be closed along the Three Rivers section this weekend (4th-5th May), between Kurow and the Otekaieke River, due to the commencement of duck hunting season. Please use alternate route State Highway 83.

A journey from alps to ocean

Discover Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.

Trail conditions

Find out the current weather conditions for the trail sections, and if there are trail closures or detours in place.

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is the longest of the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand serving up epic vistas from Aoraki Mount Cook all the way to arty Ōamaru beside the Pacific Ocean.  It is one of New Zealand’s truly Great Rides; the crème de la crème of multi-day cycling experiences in NZ for the iconic southern landscapes traversed and easily navigated by a wide demographic.

The Trail is broken into nine sections.  Ride the full length over five to seven days for the depth of experience and huge sense of accomplishment, or pick one or two sections and ride them as day trips from local towns. The variety of terrain means there is a mix of easy to intermediate trail riding.

About the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

The Cycle Trail starts at the base of the majestic Aoraki Mt Cook in the National Park or alternatively at Takapō, with both routes meeting on the shores of the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki.  From there the Trail takes in Twizel and the shoreline of Lake Ōhau before climbing to the highest point on the Trail where you view the magnificence of the Mackenzie basin before dropping down to Ōmarama.  The Waitaki Valley delivers a geo-park of wonders, you meander past more lakes and rivers, ride through vineyards and experience ever changing vistas on you way towards the Pacific coast.  Your final destination is Ōamaru, a town famous for its neo classical 'Ōamaru Stone' Victorian buildings, art galleries and the little blue penguins.

Allow 5-7 days to cycle the entire trail and remember to add some time to investigate the region while you are here.  Alternatively, if time is at a premium, simply make a day excursion or tick off a section or two over a long weekend...  What better way to reconnect friends and family or simply get away from it all, either way, you will be enjoying genuine hospitality in some of the best scenery that the South Island of New Zealand has to offer.

Whichever option you choose, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is sure to be a great destination and a most memorable experience.

Trail Sections

Riding on the Alps 2 Ocean: Environmental Considerations

Cycling the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is not only a thrilling adventure but also an opportunity to connect with and appreciate the natural beauty of New Zealand's South Island. As stewards of these pristine landscapes, it's essential for cyclists to consider the environmental impact of their journey and take steps to minimise their footprint along the way.

Training For the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, Using Interval Training

Are you training so that you can conquer the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail? Whether you're a new or a seasoned cyclist, including interval training into your training can transform your trail experience. Let's look into how interval training can help your cycling performance and goals.

What to Do When Encountering Livestock on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

The stunning Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail winds through breathtaking landscapes including working farms with livestock. While landowners take care to ensure the trail is clear, there might be instances when cyclists encounter animals such as cattle and sheep.

Kurow Wetlands Planting Day

A team of volunteers and environmental enthusiasts dedicated their weekend on 6-7 October 2023 to planting 850 native trees in the Kurow Wetlands.

Maureen Gaffney - Discovering the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

American rider Maureen Gaffney's experience of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, published in 'Adventure Cyclist' magazine.

Geology unearthed – a field trip to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

The Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark team ran a field trip on Saturday 2nd September 2023 to mark the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail 10-year anniversary.

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Luxury Cycle Tours of North Island and South Island

Bicycle and equipment hire, popular tours.

7 Day West Coast and Rainforest Self Guided Tour

8 Day Self Guided Queenstown & Southern Lakes

4 day Banks Peninsula Self Guided Tour

9 Day Self Guided Kaikoura and Marlborough with Guided Sea Kayaking tour

15 Day Self Guided West Coast Pacific Ocean

5 Day Relaxed Paced Pacific Ocean

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8 Day Self Guided Queenstown & Southern Lakes

6 Day Guided Alps to Ocean Tour

Guided cycling tours

Cycling Group at the top of the mighty Benmore Dam, Waitaki

By Sue Wills

Cycling Alps to Ocean, New Zealand

By Colin Monteath

Historic railway bridges, Central Otago

By Miles Holden

Want to focus on the riding and let someone else take care of the logistics? Then a guided cycle tour is an excellent choice.

Ride for a day, or tackle the full length to really immerse yourself in the experience. Set your own pace - even novices can ride alongside the more advanced, without getting left behind. And of course, accommodation and baggage transfers are all included; you won't have to worry about a thing.

Alps 2 Ocean Trail

Starting at the base of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki / Mt Cook, Alps 2 Ocean  is a stunning track that passes a number of glacial lakes. It covers 312km over six days, and is an easy to intermediate trail. Natural High , Active Adventures , PureTrails (opens in new window) and Adventure South offer guided cycle tours.

Alps to Ocean riding trail, New Zealand

By New Zealand Fine Touring

Soak up epic scenery on one of our many cycle trails. Diverse trail stretch through the entire country and are great for all ages and levels.

Hawke’s Bay Trails

The Hawke's Bay Trails  stretch over the Heretaunga Plains and weave between the twin cities of Napier and Hastings. Ride through wine-growing areas over 1-4 days and 187 km, whether you're a beginner or intermediate cyclist. Takaro Trails offers guided cycle tours.

Haumoana River, Hawke's Bay

By Richard Brimer

Ride alongside scenic seaside views between Napier and Clifton the Hawke's Bay Trails.

West Coast Wilderness

Embark on a heritage trail that travels through old gold mining country amidst rainforest, tumbling rivers and wild West Coast beaches to the Southern Alps. The trail spans 139 km over 1-4 days and is a Grade 2 trail.

Adventure South , PureTrails (opens in new window) and Active Adventures offer guided tours.

West Coast Wilderness Trail, New Zealand

By Stephen Roberts

West Coast Wilderness Trail

The Timber Trail

Travel through ancient forests and suspension bridges on this meandering North Island trail near Taupo on The Timber Trail . This easy/intermediate trail spans 83 km and can be cycled in two days. FourB offers guided cycle tours. 

The Timber Trail, Waikato

By Fraser Clements

Travel through ancient forests and suspension bridges on this meandering north island trail.

Great Lake Trail

The stunning Great Lake Trail  follows the shores of beautiful Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. The trail spans 93 km over 1-2 days and is suited for intermediate cyclists. Tread Routes (opens in new window) and Chris Jolly Outdoors offer guided cycle tours.

The Great Lake Trails, Taupō

The stunning Great Lake Trail follows the shores of beautiful Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake.

Motu Trails

Explore East Cape wilderness and take in the fresh ocean air on The Motu Trails . The route serves up three distinctly different trails. It's easy to tailor a journey to suit your fitness level and cycling experience, from easy to advanced, over 1-3 days. Cycle Gisbourne  offers guided cycle tours.

Motu Trails, Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Experience three contrasting journeys. Explore East Cape wilderness, take in the fresh ocean air.

Remutaka Cycle Trail

The Remutaka Cycle Trail  is a great way to explore the landscapes and history of the Wellington region. The terrain is varied and suited to all abilities, spanning 115 km over 2-3 days. Green Jersey and Natural High offer guided cycle tours.

Remutaka Cycle Trail, Wellington

The Remutaka Cycle Trail is a great way to explore the landscapes and history of the Wellington region.

Queen Charlotte Track

Experience the best of Marlborough Sounds, from peaceful bays to native flora and fauna on the Queen Charlotte Track . This intermediate to advanced track takes 2-3 days over 70 km. Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company and Wilderness Guides offer guided cycle tours.

Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough

By Sven Martin

Soak in magnificent views of one of New Zealand's most beautiful waterways - Marlborough Sounds - on this epic South Island track.

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail

On Tasman's Great Taste Trail  take in panoramic views of Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary, and mountains in the Western Ranges. You'll ride through historic high country and past award-winning wineries. This 1-4 day, 175 km trail is suitable for beginner to intermediate riders.  Gentle Cycling Co , PureTrails (opens in new window) and Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours  offer guided cycling tours.

The Great Taste Trail, Nelson Tasman

By Dean Mackenzie

On the Great Taste Trail take in panoramic views of Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary, and mountains in the Western Ranges.

The Old Ghost Rd

A must-do for advanced riders, the Old Ghost Trail  on the West Coast winds through untouched wilderness of native forests and river valleys. It covers 80 km over 2-3 days.

Old Ghost Rd trail, West Coast

A must-do for advanced riders, the trail winds through untouched wilderness of native forests and river valleys.

Otago Central Rail Trail

Named after the original railway line built between 1891 and 1907, the Otago Central Rail Trail  is New Zealand’s original ‘Great Ride’. Suitable for all skill levels, the full trail stretches 150 km over 5 days. Adventure South, Active Adventures , PureTrails (opens in new window) and Trail Journeys offer guided cycle tours.

One of the highlight on riding Otago Central Rail Trail is the number of historic railway bridges cyclists will ride on.

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Our guided and self-guided tours are  fully booked for the current season.  We are now taking bookings for October 2024 onwards.

Pacific CYCLE Tours offers quality small group guided and self-guided cycle tours of New Zealand.  Let us take care of all the details, so you can focus on the important things - such as jaw dropping scenery, meeting new friends and experiencing an unforgettable adventure, designed for you.

Our friendly and welcoming approach to organising your New Zealand bike tour is legendary.  We hand pick our accommodation, use top of the range vehicles and bikes, have guides that are not only the best in the business – but the greatest company too, and providing you an extraordinary experience is our top priority.

EXPLORE OUR CYCLE TOURS

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GUEST REVIEWS

Fantastic trip, loved doing the best bits of so many trails. We were looked after so well,  food, accommodation and pace of the tour. 

-  Sally & Dave,  New Zealand

Truly memorable and everlasting experience. - Dan, Australia

The organisation, accommodation etc was top notch. I could never have orgainsed this trip on my own the knowledge of the trails and how some days were adapted to make longer or shorter for individual skill level was much appreciated. I loved every minute.

- Karen, New Zealand

Great tour, great organization, great guide. - Axel, Germany

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NORTH ISLAND TIMBER TRAIL

Amazing riding, amazing scenery.

• Private Tours and Custom Tours Solos, Couples & Friends
• Departure: Auckland, Rotorua, New Zealand
• Departs On: Sunday
• Duration: 7 Days
• Lodging: Casual Inns
• Fitness Level: 3-4
• Technical Level: 3-5

New Zealand’s North Island physically distills Hawaii and Switzerland. Good beer and friendly inclinations. Amazing plants and 1000-year old trees. Geysers and plunging waterfalls, the flightless Kiwi bird, some of the world’s last prehistoric rainforest. And: upwards of 50-80 million sheep spread across a landscape the size of Colorado.

Our six days on North Island go deep into complex and wildly diverse ecosystems. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, beyond the belt of haze so tragically prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere we’re meet with 40% greater visibility (on average). Those enhanced senses will serve us well. At Huka Falls, tucked into our trail across Pureora Forest, it’s as much the sight as the wall of sound that captivates: 58,117-gallons of pearl blue water thundering over a cliff face every second.

On the Timber Trail, the narrative becomes something of a wilderness in transition: we ride over bygone bulldozer and timber roads given a revitalizing, low impact repurposing: now designated for thru-hikers and mountain bikers. The visual punctuation comes of finding an abandoned tractor neatly sealed away by towering old growth trees. Mother Earth’s keepsake.

Each day the trails dissolve into forest so dense and exotic, the undergrowth so rich in moss and exuberant chartreuse fern you can’t help but feel as if you were in Middle Earth. In a real sense, the steaming craters and boiling mud-pools we find on one trail lend a portal to that very realm.

Day 1-2: Meet in Rotorua, Transit to the Whakarewrewa Forest, home not only to huge spans of California Coastal Redwoods.  Ride smooth and flowy trails for two days followed by overnight at the Rotorua Redwoods House. Day 3-4: Shuttle south of Rotorua, into North Island’s volcanic heartland to the Timber Trail: a backcountry Kiwi classic then ride atop the summit of Mt Pureora, taking in 300-sq miles of ancient rainforest. Day 5-6: Crossover New Zealand’s highest suspension bridge and experience the world’s only rideable railway spiral: a remnant of New Zealand’s logging pioneers. Closing out miles of trail we overnight at National Park Lodge, at the foot of 9177-ft Mt Ruapehu (North Island’s highest peak). Finally, drop in on the “Great Lake Trail”. Return to Rotorua. Day 7: After Breakfast return to Auckland.

All-Inclusive Prices

All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.

Renting Bicycles

Not only do we run an international bike tour business, but we also own and operate two premiere bicycle stores –  www.LasVegasCyclery.com  and  www.MoabCyclery.com . We have learned over the years that every cyclist is different and prefers different types of bikes for different types of terrain. That is why we offer the best bicycles for rent in the business. If for some reason you are not happy with the quality of your rental, we will refund the cost of your entire bike rental. If you are bringing your bike with you, check with your airline’s baggage policy in advance and be sure to pack your bike accordingly. If you are shipping your bike to your destination, confirm the address with our office and allow enough time for your bike to arrive. We’re happy to help you ship your bike. Whatever you need to get the most out of your tour, we are here to make it happen.

Free With Every Tour

When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2024, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!

Why travel with Escape Adventures?

Our commitment to you.

For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised.  * Scheduled Domestic trips only.

Our Commitment to the Environment

Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.

Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides

Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We our proud of it and we think you should know it.

The Best Support Vehicles

Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain trucks are specifically designed for The White Rim and The Maze, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our guides is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced guides make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, and plenty of drinking water to a remote location.

The Best Bicycles and Gear

Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Santa Cruz and Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our standards. All of our mountain bikes are equipped with full suspension frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have eMountainbikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.

The Best Food

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. Most dinners and breakfasts are served at local restaurants on our inn tours. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.

Scheduled Departure Dates

Call for availability: 1.800.596.2953.

Private & Custom Tours

The idea of taking your friends or family somewhere cool and amazing is actually pretty easy. Tell us what you’re thinking. We’ll make it happen.

Any trip in this catalog, any specific time frame, any group size, we can custom-fit if not comfortably accommodate. A Custom and Private Escape Adventures trip affords the ultimate bonding, or team-building experience for:

• Clubs and co-workers
• Family reunions
• Corporate retreats

To shape a Custom or Private Trip, we begin a dialogue: first, to develop a group specific itinerary, tailored to respective abilities and preferred tempo. Next we schedule, bookmarking and working in your optimum or ideal getaway dates. Size-wise, we can build a multi-day trip for as few as two people, scaled up to as many as 30 plus. Contact us today to start the custom trip building process.

Rates on Private and Custom Departures:

All Private Escape Adventures Trips are priced in the structured method below. Some Custom tours are priced differently if they vary  from the Classic Escape Adventures itinerary and price.  In this situation we will provide your group with a custom itinerary and price.

• 10+ GUESTS  Price as advertised*
• 8-9 GUESTS  +$400 per person to trip price*
• 6-7 GUESTS  +$900 per person to trip price*
• 4-5 GUESTS  +$1,900 per person to trip price*
• 2-3 GUESTS  +$2,500 per person to trip price*

* Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. All private tours on The White Rim must meet a 13 person paid minimum. All private tours on The Maze must meet a 7 person paid minimum.

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SOUTH ISLAND

A word from our founders.

For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.

With much gratitude, and happy trails,

Jared and Heather Fisher

Founders and Owner-Operators Escape Adventures

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How to Watch 2024 Giro d’Italia

With a clear favorite, two time trials, and majestic mountain passes, cycling’s most beautiful Grand Tour promises a spectacle at its finest.

How to Watch the Giro d’Italia in Canada

How to watch the giro d’italia for free, what happened last year, riders to watch.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Giro d’Italia:

Dates: Saturday, May 4 - Sunday, May 26

How to Watch the Giro d’Italia in the U.S.

If you’re a Max subscriber ($9.99/month), then you have access to the streaming platform’s B/R Sports package, which is the only legal way to stream the Giro d’Italia in the USA. For now, the package is free to all regular Max subscribers, but at some point, it will cost an additional $9.99 each month. That’s not as affordable as GCN+ used to be, but considering everything else you get with the B/R Sports package (such as MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA Men’s March Madness, U.S. Soccer, and 24 Hours of Le Mans coverage) it’s a pretty good deal.

Max has a user-friendly app for smartphones, streaming devices, game consoles, and smart TVs. There’s also an easy-to-navigate website, which is a helpful option for streaming the race from work. (Don’t worry, we won’t tell your boss.)

You could cancel your monthly subscription at the end of the race, but remember that Max will be offering live streams of many road, mountain, track, and cyclocross races throughout the rest of the year. If that floats your boat, consider getting an annual subscription for $99.99 (or $149.99 for ad-free streaming).

If you live in Canada, you can catch the action on FloBikes ($29.99 monthly or $150 for the year). Stream or cast from your desktop, mobile, or TV. The app is now available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Apple TV. And live coverage starts at 7:45 AM EDT for most stages.

While we haven’t found legal ways to watch the Giro LIVE for free, you may be able to catch extended highlights on NBC/Peackock’s YouTube Channel a couple of hours after the events. However, where there is a will, there is a way. Just, “be careful with the ads.”

The 107th edition of the Giro d’Italia covers 3,386.7K (2,138 miles) over 21 stages, with two individual time trials, seven stages with uphill finishes, and six to eight stages expected to end with field sprints.

This year’s Grande Partenza takes place in Piemonte, near the French-Italian Alps, with two challenging road stages that will force the Giro’s GC contenders to be at their best right away. Stage 1, a 136K stage from Venaria Reale to Torino, features three categorized climbs–including the Superga and the Colle Maddalena–but it’s a short, punchy, uncategorized ascent just before the finish that could determine the stage winner.

Stage 2 begins in San Francesco al Campo and ends after 150K with this year’s first summit finish–on the Category 1 Santuario di Oropa, the climb on which deceased Italian legend Marco Pantani took one of his most famous stage wins in 1999. By the end of the first weekend, the GC battle will already be in full swing.

The race then begins working its way south, and Stages 3, 4, and 5—which finish in Fossano, Andora, and Lucca, respectively—should be days for the Giro’s sprinters. (Although the finishes of Stages 3 and 4 feature ramps inside the final 10K that could thwart the fast men.) Stage 6 brings the race from the coast into Tuscany (it finishes in Rapolano Terme) and features 12K of the strade bianche (“white gravel roads”) that give March’s Strade Bianche road race its name. If there’s one stage during the first week that has the potential to cause a few surprises, it’s this one.

Stage 7 is the first individual time trial of the Giro, and it’s a tough one: beginning in Foligno, the 37.2K race against the clock starts with over 30K of flat roads. But there’s a nasty sting in the course’s tail: a 6.5K climb to the finish line that starts steep and then ascends more gradually to the line. Riders who don’t pace themselves on the flat part of the course could explode on the final climb. There could be large time gaps here.

Starting in Spoleto, Stage 8 brings the second summit finish of the first week–on the Category 1 Prati di Tivo, a 14K climb in the Umbrian Apennines with an average gradient of 7%. With a field sprint expected in Napoli at the end of Sunday’s Stage 9 (after a 214K stage that starts in Avezzano), Stages 7 and 8 will determine which rider will wear the maglia rosa into the Giro’s first Rest Day.

The second week begins in Pompeii with Stage 10, a 142K stage that features a summit finish on a new climb, the Category 1 Bocca della Selva, a 20.9K climb with a deceiving 4.6% average gradient. The first few kilometers are actually downhill, so the climb is actually harder than its statistics suggest.

We expect Stage 11 (207K) to end with a field sprint in Francavilla al Mare, and Stage 12—with a jagged 190K stage through the Marche region (an area known for its muri or “walls”)—looks like the perfect day for a breakaway filled with puncheurs and riders who perform well in the spring classics. Friday’s Stage 13 is the flattest stage of this year’s race, which is probably a good thing considering the next two stages. This 179K stage from Riccione to Cento will be an active rest day for much of the peloton.

And they’ll need one because the third weekend begins with Stage 14–the Giro’s second individual time trial–a generally flat, 31K course from Castiglione delle Stiviere to Desenzano del Garda. This is a day for the Giro’s time trial specialists; the pure climbers will struggle to stay within shouting distance of their more powerful colleagues.

But they’ll have a chance for revenge on Sunday, when the race heads into the Alps for Stage 15, a 220K monster stage (the longest in this year’s race) with five categorized climbs, including back-to-back 2000m summits (both Category 1 ascents) at the end of the day, with a summit finish at the Mottolino ski resort just above Livigno. This weekend should blow the Giro wide open, leaving just a handful of riders still in contention to win the race overall.

The third week begins the same way the second week ends, with a 200K, high-altitude mountain stage. Stage 16 features the granddaddy of them all: the Stelvio, this year’s “Cima Coppi” as the highest summit in the race. Topping out at over 2700m, the climb comes early in the stage but will nonetheless offer a rude awakening to a peloton that’s coming out of the second Rest Day. After a long ride down into and through a valley, the day ends with the Category 1 Passo Pinei and then a summit finish on the Category 2 Monte Pana, in Santa Cristina in Val Gardena.

At “just” 159K, Stage 17 is much shorter than the previous two mountain stages, but it’s jammed with five categorized climbs, including the Category 2 Passo Sella and the Category 1 Passo Rolle. The day ends with two ascents of the Category 1 Passo Brocon, which the riders climb for a second time on their way to the finish line. This will be an intense stage, and it could pose a challenge for the team defending the pink jersey to control. The riders will be either climbing or descending from start to finish and if someone’s going to stage a third-week ambush, it could come here.

The next two stages offer a break from the mountains. Stage 18 brings a 166K downhill ride from Fiera di Primiero to Padua that should end with a field sprint. Stage 19 looks like the perfect chance for a small group of opportunists–who have likely been saving themselves in the high mountains–to escape and fight for a breakaway stage win in Sappada.

The 154K stage begins in Mortegliano and climbs steadily throughout the day, culminating with three categorized climbs in the second half stage, the last of which the riders summit just 7K from the finish. After so many days of intense climbing–and with one more day in the mountains still to come–the peloton could just sit back and let the break go all the way to the finish.

That sets the stage for Stage 20, the last chance for anyone hoping to steal the 2024 Giro d’Italia from whoever's been leading it. And–as the last two editions have shown us–that’s a realistic possibility. Starting in Alpago, the stage rolls along for about 85K before the first of two ascents of the Monte Grappa, an 18K climb with an average gradient of 8.1%–that’s steep . This isn’t a stage with a summit finish–the race finishes in Bassano del Grappa after a long descent from the top of the Monte Grappa down into the valley below–but even without one, the stage should still provide a dramatic conclusion to the Giro’s GC battle.

The race concludes Sunday in Rome with a 122K road stage featuring several circuits through the Eternal City. The day will begin with clinking glasses of prosecco, and end with one last chance for the sprinters to grab some glory.

You can find the elevation profiles and course maps for each 2024 Giro d’Italia stage here .

For the second year in a row, the 2023 Giro d’Italia was decided on the grand tour’s penultimate day. In 2022, Australia’s Jai Hindley (BORA-hansgrohe) took the pink jersey from Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz (INEOS Grenadiers) on Stage 20. Hindley won a mountain stage at the end of the grand tour’s first week, then hung around near the top of the General Classification before seizing his moment late in the Giro’s final mountain stage and winning the race overall.

In 2023, Slovenia’s Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) followed the same formula, albeit without an early-stage win. After Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step)—who had won two stages and was wearing the pink jersey as the Giro’s overall leader—was forced to abandon the race after testing positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the Giro’s first Rest Day, Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) took the maglia rosa . With the exception of the two days straddling the second Rest Day, Thomas held the jersey for much of the second and third weeks.

But he cracked on Stage 20, an 18.6K uphill time trial from Tarvisio to the summit of the Monte Lussari. Roglič, who entered the day just 26 seconds behind Thomas on GC, won the stage by 40 seconds, taking the pink jersey–and the 2023 Giro–by a slim margin.

Thomas held on to finish second, and Portugal’s João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) finished third. Italy’s Jonathan Milan (Bahrain-Victorious) won the Points Classification, France’s Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) won the King of the Mountains Classification, and Almeida was the Giro’s Best Young Rider.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)

With most of the sport’s best grand tour riders (including Roglič) racing the Tour de France this summer, this year’s Giro has a short list of overall contenders, a list that’s headlined by one of the sport’s true superstars: Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).

The 25-year-old has never raced the Giro, and he takes the starting line this year as the favorite to win and dominate it. Then he’s planning to head to the Tour, where he’s hoping to become the first rider since Italy’s Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and the Tour in the same season.

Geraint Thomas (INEOS-Grenadiers)

Pogačar’s biggest challenger will likely be Geraint Thomas, who’s coming back to the Giro after last year’s disappointment. The 37-year-old (he’ll turn 38 during the race) will have a strong and experienced team supporting him–and the course suits him–but he’ll have a hard time overcoming Pogačar.

Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike)

We’ll also be keeping an eye on Belgium’s Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike), who made headlines last December when it was announced that he was breaking his contract with BORA-hansgrohe (who had recently signed Roglič away from Jumbo) to join the Dutch superteam.

The winner of the Tour de l‘Avenir in 2022, Uijtdebroeks just turned 21 and is widely considered to be a future grand tour contender. Without Belgium’s Wout van Aert, who’s skipping the Giro due to injuries he sustained in a crash at a race in Belgium a few weeks ago, Uijtdebroeks becomes the focus of the team’s Giro plans. And with a strong squad alongside him, he could finish on the podium and is the easy pick to become the Giro’s Best Young Rider.

Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)

Other GC contenders include Australia’s Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), a former fourth-place finisher at the Tour de France and Giro stage-winner; Italy’s Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious), a former Giro podium-finisher; Colombia’s Daniel Martinez (BORA-hansgrohe), a former fifth-place finisher at the Giro; Great Britain’s Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost), a two-time top-10 finisher; and France’s Romain Bardet (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), a former Tour de France podium finisher who was seventh at the Giro in 2021 but might be more of stage hunter this year.

Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek)

Other stage hunters include Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), a three-time stage winner who was the Giro’s King of the Mountains in 2019; France’s Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step), who’s riding his first Giro; and Canada’s Michael Woods (Israel-PremierTech), who’s hoping to complete a hat-trick of grand tour stage victories with a win in Italy.

Nairo Quintana (Movistar)

One of the most controversial riders in this year’s Giro will be Colombia’s Nairo Quintana (Movistar), winner of the Giro in 2014. But the 34-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing sixth overall in the 2022 Tour de France and then having his results disqualified after testing positive for tramadol, a painkiller that’s banned by the UCI (but not banned by WADA). He’s now back in the WorldTour with the team that made him famous. His return has not been a popular one , though, and it will be interesting to see how he’s received in Italy.

The Giro also offers several stage win opportunities for field sprinters, and that–plus the fact that the Tour de France is very not sprinter-friendly–means there will be lots of them taking the start, including Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek); Belgium’s Tim Merlier (Soudal–Quick Step); Dutch sprinters Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Fabio Jakobsen (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), and Australia’s Sam Welsford (BORA-Hansgrohe), Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck); and Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty).

Last but not least, the Giro will see several North Americans taking the start, with Americans Larry Warbasse (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers), and Will Barta (Movistar) joining Woods on the starting line, with more expected to join them as teams finalize their rosters.

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