About the West Coast Wilderness Trail

You've probably heard some wild tales about the Coast - of rugged shorelines, intrepid journeys, sordid stories, hidden treasures… But as the Coasters will be first to tell you, "You dunno the half of it…"

The West Coast Wilderness Trail provides a unique immersion into the nature and the communities of the West Coast. This fabulous cycling adventure guarantees an outstanding landscape ride through dense rainforest, past glacial rivers and lakes and through wetlands, all the way from the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps to the ocean. And it is all accessed on one of the best cycle trail surfaces in the country. Arrive as a visitor and leave as a local when you spend the best days of your life on two wheels. In the midst of the West Coast of the Southern Alps, lie a series of tracks carved by pioneering gold rush miners.

Today these old tracks, together with extensive water races, logging tramways and later short length railway lines, form the West Coast Wilderness Trail. The cycle trail can be ridden either in part as a day ride or in its entirety over four days. It is rated Grade 2 with some Grade 3 on road riding - 'Easy' to 'Intermediate'. Over 120km of the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is off-road on an excellent gravel trail, with an ambient gradient and only a couple of short sections where you may prefer to walk. The incline from Kumara to Milltown is a little more challenging than the rest of the ride however the climb is easily managed by people with a reasonable level of fitness. Don't forget that a short walk is an alternative to riding and also offers a great chance to enjoy the views.