31km, Grade 2/easy, 2–4 hours
Dust off your bike and tuck away that cell phone. It's time to go Coastal! The trail can be enjoyed ridden in either direction however we've prepared this website overview from north to south, taking in the attractions from Greymouth to Ross.
Departing from the historic Greymouth Railway Station, you'll set off along the mighty Grey River and past a working port, before journeying out toward the wild and wonderful Tasman Sea.
Follow the coast south, behind sand dunes and along tidal lagoons, until you cross the Taramakau. (It's a river… a bigee.)
You'll then wind your way along the historic Kumara Bush Tram through regenerating forest and new farm land. Towards the end of the day, you'll get some rip-snorting (impeccable) views of the Taramakau. With a flat, cruisy day's cycling under your belt, you've got the night to rest up in Kumara!
Make sure you ask the townsfolk at the renovated hotel about the town's bawdy gold mining history. (In its rough, tough heyday it had a whopping 50 pubs!)
Picturesque Lake Brunner accommodation, restaurant, bar and wood fired hot tubs. Thirty minutes scenic drive from Greymouth, a perfect place to start or end your Wilderness Trail experience. Enjoy lake views while staying and dining. Immerse yourself in our hot tubs.
Explore West Coast Scenic Tours, taking you to West Coast icons such as Punakaiki Blow Holes and Hokitika Gorge, Glaciers and historic sites such as Brunner Mine Site and Denniston. Private transfers available and Wilderness Trail packages. Enquire with us today.
Escape Adventures has been operating since 1999 both in New Zealand and many amazing countries around the world.
All our cycle tours are led by our own wonderful Escape leaders who each bring their own unique characteristics but share our philosophies and understand your needs.Our personalized groups are small enough to integrate into local communities without taking over.
We create lovingly crafted, ethically sourced, West Coast pounamu pieces for that special person or occasion. Our specialist, family owned store, is ideally located in Mawhera-Greymouth’s town square near the trail’s start/finish kiosk.
Based in Greymouth, Mark and his team are happy to help with any insurance or private repairs should you need them. A new Trustee on the West Coast Wilderness Trail Trust, Mark is a keen cyclist and supporter of the trail.
Located in Greymouth’s Town Square, we’re the ideal place to meet up before or after your ride. Enjoy our Allpress coffee, craft beers and superb food. We’re open for breakfast and lunch seven days and dinner every night except Monday. Dine-in or takeaway.
New Zealand’s premier cycle tour company offering premium quality all-inclusive cycle tours with the best bikes, accommodation and restaurants, full vehicle-support and personal service. We aim to exceed your expectations and provide the best possible experience of the trails.
Pacific Cycle Tours is a family-owned and operated New Zealand tour company, providing outstanding cycling tours for the past 25 years. We specialise in small group, quality, multi-day, multi-trail E bike tours. An unforgettable adventure, designed for you.
The only mobile app designed for the NZ Great Rides and a national partner of the NZ Cycle Trail.
Working offline it offers GPS tracking, over 1,500+ pages of maps, photos and trail section descriptions
The app includes the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Download it free today!
App Store - https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/great-rides/id1181203029?mt=8%20
Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app906&hl=en%20
Our team know the trail and the West Coast thoroughly. We can provide advice and book your entire trip and experience from accommodation and transportation to bike hire, shuttles and activities.
Located on the trail, with newly renovated quality spacious units, two bars, a bottle store, and one of Greymouth's most popular restaurants offering fresh local flavours. An ideal location to stay during your Wilderness Trail experience or stop for a drink or evening meal. Warm fire, large screen TV's along with Netflix, Sky and free unlimited WIFI in your room.
Kiwi Journeys are your trusted cycle tour operator specialising in self-guided and supported tours on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. We offer everything you need to enjoy these top Great Rides – from bike hire, transport and accommodation, to personal advice and insider tips.
The hostel has single, double, twin or dorm style accommodation, undercover cycle storage facilities, a large guest laundry, a private spa and sauna. Features also include warm lounge with log burner, guitar, piano, separate TV lounge with a large collection of world movies and free unlimited WIFI. For those who want a further wetland experience there is free kayaking on the Lake Karoro wetland reserve adjacent to the hostel. It also has a well-equipped fitness room and visitors can loan fishing rods and tennis rackets.
Just a block from the Greymouth start /finish, Robert Harris Café is the ideal location to meet up and start your journey or celebrate completing the trail. With award winning coffee, a full range of cabinet food, full kitchen menu, cooked breakfast and lunch, all with healthy, locally sourced products, you can eat-in or order a delicious packed lunch and snacks to eat on the trail.
Hey Ladies whether you're starting or finishing the Wilderness Trail in Greymouth there's one very important destination that you need to visit, it's the Coast's fashion Hub; Victoria's - located in the Heart of Mackay Street. Victoria's is a boutique fashion store delivering very stylish clothes for everyday ladies who thrive on both style and colour. Treat yourself at Victoria's while in Greymouth…
Discover more of the Coast while on your Wilderness Trail experience. The Hokitika Gorge, Punakaiki, the Glaciers – whatever you want to see and do. We will pick-up and deliver back to your location. Pick-up and drop-off anywhere within the Hokitika or Greymouth area is also available by arrangement. Group discounts available and we hold a DOC concession.
Bella Vista Greymouth offers 18 quality motels suitable for all types of travellers. We are close to restaurants, the super market, the Westland Recreation Centre and, with only a 5 minute bike ride to the West Coast Wilderness Trail, we are perfect for your overnight stay. Free WIFI is also available.
Located in the heart of Greymouth this gallery is a "must". Stunning landscapes cover the walls and the gallery offers a fine selection of New Zealand and locally made items and gifts, including ceramics, Manuka honey, jewellery, t-shirts, possum merino clothing, chocolate, soaps, Manuka beauty products, cushions and more.
Join the fully-guided 45-minute brewery tour, enjoy a tasting tray of speciality handcrafted beers and ciders or relax for a drink and enjoy the range of local produce from the tapas style tasting menu. Monteith's modern brewery and restaurant is a perfect place to begin or end your Wilderness Trail experience. Quote promo code WCCycleTrail10 when booking online and get 10% off brewery tours and 10% will be donated to the Wilderness Trail Trust.
Cycle Journeys provides you with a one stop service when planning your ride on the Wilderness Trail. Choose your bike hire from our fleet of over 200 bikes (including more than 30 E-Bikes), luggage transfer, accommodation bookings, shuttle to the start and finish of the trail. We can even arrange group transport from Christchurch.
At Natural High we believe exploring New Zealand by bicycle is the best way to truly experience this remarkable country.
Whether you're looking for bike rental for a weekend or a grand cycle tour of the whole country, someone in our Auckland or Christchurch branches will talk you through all your options, and give you the best possible advice. Contact us for all your bike hire, accessories, touring and group tour needs nationwide.
For easy access to the Wilderness Trail, the wild landscapes and stunning scenery of New Zealand's unspoilt West Coast, look no further than the historic Copthorne Hotel Greymouth. Set in the town centre, overlooking the Grey River, this self-rated 4-Star, and Enviro Bronze rated hotel is only 300 metres from the start of the trail. With all of the comforts and amenities you'd expect in an international hotel, along with Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen, where riders can enjoy breakfast from 7am and dinner from 6pm.
Bike Hire and repair shops are within 100 metres of the hotel and there is on-site bike storage. Book on line for our best rate guarantee.
Located in the historic Greymouth Railway Station, the start/end of the Wilderness Trail. Local experts on the Wilderness Trail, tailoring packages to suit your needs, with no booking fees, bike hire, shuttle transport, bag transfers, car storage, accommodation and activities.
Visitors to the District can access free wi-fi at the Library as well as computers, scanners, printing and copying, and power for a variety of devices. Relax in our Reading Area with a newspaper or magazine while enjoying a refreshing cup of tea or coffee.
Discover fascinating stories of real New Zealanders and experience a recreated gold-rush village. West Coast isolation, extreme weather and rugged terrain produced stories of fortitude and ingenuity. Shantytown tells these pioneering stories through a fascinating mix of experience and displays.
Ride the Steam Train through native rainforest, experience the sights and sounds of a working sawmill, watch the sluice gun blast gold bearing rock and soil from the earth, then follow the races to the gold claim and pan for your own gold.
The village, with 30 shops and buildings to explore shows life the way it used to be. Catch the show in our new holographic theatre. For a memento of Shantytown nothing is better than an old time photo.
Located in Christchurch Tuatara Tours runs 4 day fully guided and catered tours on the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Let us take care of the details, leaving you more time to relax and explore. We can collect you from Christchurch or Greymouth.
Trail Transport is a shuttle and bike hire service allowing you easy, convenient access to the West Coast Wilderness Trail between Greymouth and Ross. We are based in Greymouth at Colls Sports World, where we have the latest bikes, E bikes and accessories for hire or sale with an onsite bike mechanic. Owned and operated by Coasters with a wealth of cycling and local knowledge.
We operate a 6 day tour of the Wilderness Trail and beyond with full vehicle support, quality ensuite accommodation and wholesome meals. Venture beyond the Wilderness Trail to experience more of the West Coast region. Ebikes available. Start/finish from Christchurch.
Explore NZ's favourite cycle trails with the company that has helped pioneer fully supported cycling trips in New Zealand for over 20 years.
Our West Coast Wilderness Cycle includes transport from Christchurch, accommodation, a qualified guide, vehicle support, most meals, entry to the Treetops Walkway and TranzAlpine train journey to Christchurch.
Visit our website for details
John Wood and Associates Ltd, specialise in providing high quality, personalised financial advice to our clients, whether advising on life insurance, retirement planning or investing.
Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and the central hub of the region. It offers a wide range of retail, banking, medical, and other key amenities and services.
Greymouth is the start of the West Coast Wilderness Trail and the gateway to the world famous Tranz Alpine Train which arrives and departs to Christchurch daily along with coach and shuttle services to and from South Island centres. Greymouth boasts a wide range of accommodation and activities options, making it a great base to start your West Coast Wilderness Trail experience.
Activities range from the outdoor cave tubing, white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, to climbing, hiking, guided walks and scenic flights. Visit the historic Gold Mine town "Shantytown" only a few kms off the cycle trail or stop in at the Monteiths Brewery for a West Coast brew. Other activities in the area include 4wd bike tours, knife making, the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki, Jade carving, horse trekking and trout fishing tours in and around the Lake District. There is so much to do and see!
A professionally run Hokitika based shuttle service that can transport you, your bike or luggage to all points on the trail. We have plenty of local knowledge and are keen to help you with all aspects of your planning. We can arrange bike hire.
Quality accommodation, with a range of executive studios, one bedroom and two bedroom units. Many with double spa baths. Bike storage available Perfect place to start or end your ride. See our 360 degree videos tours on our website.
Located right on the beachfront with the Wilderness Trail on our doorstep, we can provide direct access onto the trail. This, along with our free vehicle storage, local knowledge and our wide range of modern accommodation from luxury apartments through to our quality motels, self-contained units, cabins and sites makes us the perfect location to base your wilderness experience from.
For a restful night's sleep after your invigorating ride. Our comfortable Chalets are modern and fully equipped with Garden and Veranda, Cycle storage & Parking, Breakfast on request. Pop into our on-site Store & Café for Great Coffee, Groceries, Fresh Doughnuts, Sandwiches, Packed Lunches, gifts and Cycle accessories. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome.
Just south of the Taramakau Bridge take a short diversion and enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch, fantastic coffee, 12 flavours of real ice cream, smoothies and a great selection of affordable, quality food to eat in or pack to take on the trail, including gluten free options. Watch the live bees at work, purchase local honey products and check out their daily deals. Free self-contained camping.
An enchanting wellness retreat in Kumara village. A range of affordable self catering accommodation and campground options. Yoga, massage and bike shed with charging. The perfect trail base. "In the middle of everywhere and away from it all".
... our cycling tours are designed for women, guided by women, loved by women Cycling with a twist - our tours are truly special! After three days of cycling, we take you to one of the last little secret spots on the coast for an unforgettable kayaking and walking experience. Our accommodation is all about comfort and charm. Our prices are all-inclusive.
Great Coffee, Fresh cut Sandwiches, Quality Pies, Home Made Doughnuts, Packed Lunches.
Right in the heart of Kumara village, cycle spares, gifts, groceries stocked, quality modern motel units available. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome.
Kumara is a former gold mining town where many came to seek their fortune, particularly the Irish. The town was once the home of the most famous West Coaster, Richard John Seddon, Premier of the Liberal Government from 1893 until his death in 1906.
Today, Kumara is a service town for tourists and farmers. The race course at Kumara provides a base for competitors and their support teams heading off on the annual Coast to Coast endurance race and the annual race meeting brings thousands of visitors each year.
Kumara offers lots for the outdoor enthusiast from tramping, hunting and fishing to fossicking for gold. Lake Brunner and the Taramakau River offer magnificent scenery and great brown trout fishing while the lower Taramakau is famous for its whitebait runs.
The West Coast’s only restored gold-rush miners’ hotel offers a variety of accommodation, welcoming restaurant and bar with hearty meals, cosy fireplace and secure bike storage. Hotel rooms include Victorian decor, antique furnishings and modern amenities. The replica Miners Cottages, McEnaneys ensuite cottage rooms and the Old Bank of New Zealand are perfect for cycling couples and groups.
Building the West Coast Wilderness Trail and keeping it clean and beautiful takes a lot, every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. See you on the trail!
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