Mountain Biking

1 of NZ's Great Rides
Rides for everyone

Grades 1 to 5
Cycling the vines

30+ cellar doors
NZ Cycle Trails

3 of the best

Guide

Biking

Mountain bike Marlborough’s epic high country trails and coastal ridges, road bike undulating routes at the edge of the sea, tour on long flat runs through vine-clad valleys or take the whole family biking along one of the region’s many rivers.

Marlborough boasts brilliant weather, stunning scenery and an abundance of acclaimed mountain and road trails, including a Great Ride and three Trails along the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Nga Haerenga.

This pedaller’s paradise has thrilling adventure, low key rides, and everything in-between.

Mountain Biking

Marlborough has a mountain bike track for every rider - from the narrow and steep to the wide and sedate, the hour-long jaunt to the multi-day mission. Whether you’re a learner or advanced, young or old, with an hour or a week to spend in the saddle, we’re sure you’ll find your mountain biking trail.

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Road Rides

Road biking in Marlborough gives you a choice of landscapes. Cruise along undulating roads at the edge of the sea or ride at pace over the long and flat straights of the glacial formed valleys, with vineyards as your sentry. If you’d like to do both, join a bunch in the Forrest Estate Graperide, a 101km race through Marlborough’s stunning landscapes.

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Family Biking

Take your kids to the Rarangi Pump Track for a fun little circuit by the beach, or to Conders Bend on SH6 for 6km of easy family-friendly biking through the forest. The Wither Hills Mountain Bike Park has trails for all levels, and for a family outing try a gentle cycle along the Taylor River reserve, before pancakes, coffee and smoothies at a riverside café.

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Gravel Grinds & Cyclocross

Marlborough provides rich terrain for intrepid cyclists who want to see the world by wheel. Gravel Grinds are road rides off the beaten track, which take you on loops through amazing landscapes, on mountain bike, cyclo-cross or touring bike.

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Rider Blogs

Read first-hand experiences of keen riders checking out Marlborough's brilliant trails.

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Mondo Kopua Biking enthusiast

“The thing I love about Marlborough, which you see when you cycle it, is the diversity of the landscape. We’ve got high country like up the Awatere Valley, then the Richmond Range, the Marlborough Sounds and all the rivers. Personally I’m an open country, high country farm sort of person. I love getting up in the hills.”

My insider guide to Marlborough

Queen Charlotte Track

“The Queen Charlotte Track is among the best multi-day mountain bike routes in the country. It has the added advantage of being able to amend your itinerary if you need to and do some of the route on sealed roads if the going is getting too tough. You can also start and finish your ride at various points along the track” — Jonathan Kennett

The 72km track is one of the longest pieces of continuous single track in the country, made even more appealing by the fact you can send you luggage ahead by boat and stay in modest or luxurious Queen Charlotte Track accommodation.

Start with a boat ride through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds from Picton to Ship Cove, one of Captain Cook’s favorite anchorages.

From there, you’ll find big climbs, exhilarating descents and breathtaking views. Cycle hard, then enjoy a plunge in the sea, followed by great food, wine and beer at your lodge. You’ve earned it.

Grade

Intermediate - Advanced (Grade 3-4)

Ship Cove to Camp Bay: Intermediate - Advanced (Grade 3-4)
Camp Bay to Torea Saddle: Intermediate - Advanced (Grade 3-4)
Torea Saddle to Waterfall Bay: Advanced (Grade 4)
Waterfall Bay to Anakiwa: Intermediate (Grade 3)

Length

72km (2-3 days)

Open

Track Pass

A Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) Pass is required for sections of the track that cross over private land.

Passes can be purchased from the Picton, Blenheim and Havelock i-SITE Visitor Information Centres.

Pass fees are:

$10 for a one-day pass
$18 for up to five consecutive days
$25 for a one-year season

Shared Pathway Etiquette

1. Keep left.
2. Cyclists should let pedestrians know when they are approaching by politely calling out or ringing a bell when approaching from behind.
3. Cyclists should pass on the right, when possible – unless the pedestrians are on the right in which case pass them in the safest way possible.
4. Cyclists should ride defensively and cycle at a speed that does not put others at risk.