Move over Southeast Asia, when it comes to ‘experience for money’ cycling tours, New Zealand is quickly emerging as the number one destination for active travellers looking to explore the world on two wheels. From the classic 150-kilometre Otago Rail Trail to our traveller favourite Alps to Ocean Trail, learn about our diverse network of Qualmark awarded cycling holidays – see our top picks below.

Discover New Zealand's best bike rides below to uncover Aotearoa at a relaxed pace, with many of our cycle trail holidays taking you away from the crowds.

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Top South Island cycling trails
Top North Island cycling trails
Videos: What it's like cycling in New Zealand
Should you hire an electric bicycle?
When to go cycling in New Zealand
Should you cycle New Zealand guided or self guided?
Guided New Zealand cycling holidays
Self guided New Zealand cycling holidays
More helpful information & cycling inspiration

Enjoy hiking adventures too? Check out our guide on New Zealand's top walks

Whether it's road cycling or mountain biking, one thing our trips all have in common is quality. From whale spotting to wineries, stark mountain scenery to therapeutic hot pools, make the most of New Zealand's landscapes and culture both on and off the bike.

The development of Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project, saw the potential of NZ as an iconic cycling destination back in 2009. Today, it has placed NZ on a pedestal of world-class riding experiences.

‘Nga Haerenga’, meaning ‘The Journeys’ in both the physical and spiritual sense, is exactly what you will experience when you ride the trails with World Expeditions. Travelling along a dedicated Cycle Trail is a great introduction to cycle touring, with shorter, less demanding and quality valued options.

When travelling with us, you'll enjoy more supported trips along the Nga Haerenga Cycle Trails than anywhere else. That's the added support of back up vehicles, the local insights of a professional guide and the luxury of meals being prepared for you on tour. It’s hard to look past our enticing range of cycling holidays on the South and North Islands, which take in the very best of these cycle trails, as well as some routes we’ve pioneered from almost three decades of operation in New Zealand.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

Location: Mackenzie Country, Waitaki Valley, North Otago

Start/end point: Start your ride from Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and enjoy a heli-flight over the Tasman River. Or set off from Lake Tekapo and follow the canals before descending down to meet the rest of the trail at Lake Pukaki.

Trail length: Approximately 311km; it’s New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail. Our cycle routes range from our 6-day classic to the complete end-to-end 7-day adventure.

Highlights: Pedal past a kaleidoscope of classic New Zealand landscapes, from the base of the mighty Southern Alps to the vibrant coastal town of Oamaru, knowing that it’s almost all downhill! But don’t underestimate this trail, you will be cycling along gravel and some rough shingle surfaces.

Ride past turquoise blue canals and iconic Mackenzie Country tussock lands with plenty of trailside highlights along the way – including wine tasting at the Waitaki vineyards, soaking in Lake Tekapo hot pools, marvelling at Maori rock art, possible penguin spotting and otherworldly limestone outcrops.

This once secret cycling gem is now on the radar of many travellers, deemed New Zealand’s most popular Cycle Trail.

Best for: People who love mountain landscapes and coastal vistas. E-bikes are available for those who wish to ride the trail with ease, but for those who want more of a challenge can opt to cycle the entire length of the A20 Cycle Trail. Our various holiday options cater for both beginner and intermediate riders, and all ages.

View all Alps to Ocean cycling holidays

Otago Central Rail Trail

Location: Otago

Trail length: Approximately 152km. Cycle a section of the trail in a day or complete the entire route in 3 or 5 days, guided or self guided. The trail can be easily broken into shorter rides to suit individual interests and time constraints.

Highlights: As a dedicated cycle trail, this means it's vehicle free and traffic free. Following an old railway line between Clyde and Middlemarch, this popular trail offers a blend of grand landscapes, fascinating history and a series of charming country towns.

Comfortable and easy riding, the Otago Rail Trail takes you deep into railway heritage through historic tunnels, bridges and viaducts, and on riverside paths. Along the way there are a series of friendly towns, home to delightful and delicious country cafe cuisine and wineries, as well as Kiwi’s famous 'southern hospitality'.

Visit abandoned gold diggings and gold rush relics, historic architecture and rustic farmyards – you can even try the ancient art of curling at the Southern Hemisphere’s only indoor rink.

Best enjoyed as a 'slow travel' experience, celebrate Otago’s heritage, flavours and natural beauty and see why it's NZ's original Great Ride.

Best for: Beginner riders of all ages and abilities – including young children, families, and those with disabilities who can use our recumbent tandem bikes. It is great trail for those who admire architectural gems and enjoy historic sights.

View all Otago Rail Trail cycling holidays

West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail

Location: West Coast

Trail length: Approximately 140km. Our cycling holiday explores many key highlights and more over 5 days.

Highlights: Experience some of New Zealand’s most rugged and untamed landscapes on two wheels as you follow the trail of the early gold rush miners.

Pedalling from the town of Ross towards the Tasman Sea to the port town of Greymouth, soak up colourful stories from the past as you ride along wild coast, glacial lakes, wetlands and ancient rainforests – backed by the mighty Southern Alps and spectacular sunsets.

There’s plenty to do on and off-bike: marvel at Punakaiki’s incredible pancake rocks, wander through the Treetop Walkway, encounter beautiful birdlife, stay at Kumara’s historic Theatre Royal Hotel – the West Coast’s only fully restored gold miners’ hotel and once world-renowned theatre, walk the Pororari River and Truman Track (two West Coast must-do’s!), enjoy a seafood pizza in Hokitika, or experience the world-class TranzAlpine train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch.

It’ll feel like a journey back in time to the days of the Maori pounamu (greenstone) gatherers and the gold rush era.

Best for: People who appreciate virgin rainforests, coastal scenery, wild wetlands and rich heritage. Suitable for those with have a reasonable level of fitness, the trail is a relatively gentle ride and family friendly, cycling on a mix of wide trails, narrow water races and boardwalk with some undulating hills.

View all West Coast cycling holidays

Around the Mountains Trail

Location: Southland and Otago

Trail length: Over 180km. The cycling part of our multi-adventure is around 140km long, which also takes in the natural wonders of Fiordland and Milford Sound.

Highlights: Few cycle trails offer the diversity of spectacular landscapes, making this trail a strong contender as one of NZ’s ‘most gorgeous Great Rides’. Pedal through the Southland’s rural heartland amid mountain country, pristine lakes and valley vistas.

The complete trail encompasses a cruise across Lake Wakatipu; tracks around the Eyre Mountains, often described as ‘where the sun dances on the mountain tops’; cycles along the magical Mavora Lakes, where scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed, and through remote golden tussock-lands of Von Valley.

Explore some of the best sections of the Around the Mountains Trails in our multi-adventure, Milford and Fiordland Hike Bike and Kayak, which combines some of the best South Island wilderness, including a visit to the majestic Milford Sound and hiking three of New Zealand's great walks.

Best for: People who adore endless mountain views and yearn to explore New Zealand’s secluded high-country. Riders can expect a few rough surfaces and hills, so the trail is suitable for the reasonably fit and capable and who are used to being on the saddle for long periods of time. With good preparation, it makes for a great adventure!

View Milford and Fiordland Hike, Bike and Kayak adventure

Tasman Great Taste Trail

Location: Nelson Tasman Region

Trail length: Around 174km. The cycling part of our multi-activity holiday is up to 118km long.

Highlights: Serving up a delectable array of attractions and experiences, the close proximity of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail to breweries, wineries and cafés provides a feast of cycling opportunities on and off track.

So much more than a cycle trail, the area is known for its seafood, horticulture, fruit and hop growing, local art, golden beaches, azure waters and boutique shops.

Take your tastebuds on a journey to sophisticated winery restaurants, local breweries and orchards; wind through picturesque countryside and along the enviable Tasman Bay coastline; try Nelson’s famous aromatic smoked seafood; and visit Mapua’s refurbished wharf and waterfront – an essential stop for foodies.

Discover the top of the South Island by bike, foot, and boat on our exciting multi-activity adventure, which explores the best of Marlborough and Tasman region.

Best for: The gourmet traveller who appreciates delectable foods, fine wine or craft beer. It is a beautiful trail for those who prefer more relaxed rides that are not as demanding and typically shorter with an eclectic mix of rural, urban, coastal and riverside scenery.

View Nelson Bike, Hike and Sail adventure

Lake Dunstan Trail

Location: Central Otago

Trail length: Around 55km. For a multi-day ride, combine this trail with the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Clutha Gold and/or Otago Central Rail Trail for the perfect e-bike holiday.

Highlights: As New Zealand's newest cycle trail, there's no surprises why the Lake Dunstan Trail is becoming so popular. An hour from Queenstown, the trail is beautifully engineered and follows the teal coloured waters of the Kawarau and mighty Clutha / Mata-au Rivers between Clyde and Cromwell.

Encounter Cromwell's Heritage Precinct, Bannockburn's wine country and a coffee boat in the middle of the gorge. Information boards telling the story of the regions rich pioneering and Maori history are also scattered along the trail.

Best for: Moderate level cyclists looking for striking scenery, good coffee and wine. Cyclists need to be confident riding on narrow trails, and up switch-back hills.

View Lake Dunstan cycling trips

With backup support vehicles on all our NZ bike trips, you have the flexibility to ‘cycle the best and drive the rest’. So if you're considering your first cycle holiday or who want to ride on a tougher trail, you can cycle as much or as little as you wish.

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Watch: What it's like cycling in New Zealand

Should you hire an electric bicycle?

Electric bikes or e-bikes are designed to make cycling easier, meaning that people of all different fitness levels can cycle together and tackle routes that previously would have been too difficult, or cover greater distances and inclines with ease.

E-bike popularity first rose rapidly in Europe, and now they are spreading out across the world making cycling trips a viable option for everyone, regardless of their fitness levels.

The great thing about opting for this style of travel is that you don’t need to be a super fit cyclist to explore destinations on two wheels – thanks to the e-bike's battery powered pedalling ‘boost’. You can hire or upgrade your bike to an electric one on any of our New Zealand road cycling holidays.

Many confuse an e-bike with a scooter or electric motorcycle, but they are quite different. The benefit of an electric bicycle comes from the addition of an electrical drive system that consists of a battery, a motor, a way to integrate the motor’s power into the drivetrain, and a way to control that power. This adds a speed boost as you pedal, giving you that extra push to reach up steep hills and achieve longer distances.

It has all the features of a regular bicycle, but they are slightly bigger and heavier due to the motor and you still need to pedal, change gears and steer. So having reasonable handling to hold up the bike and the ability to balance on a bicycle is a basic requirement.

Our New Zealand cycling trips offer the flexibility of bringing your own bike, however, if you are an overseas traveller you won't be able to fly into NZ with an e-bike due to its battery. Lithium batteries are not allowed on an aircraft and therefore, you won't be able to take your e-bike on a plane.

• Feel more confident: If you aren't comfortable with your cycling ability, upgrading to an e-bike is a great option to take on cycling routes you may otherwise have considered too tough for your capabilities.

• Less impact: E-bikes reduce much of the cycling strain from legs and knees than when riding a traditional bike.

• Ease of operation: E-bikes are quick to master and make active holidays physically easier without taking away from the adventurous spirit of the trip.

• Added comfort: Using an e-bike allows people of different fitness levels to join a trip together. So if you are new to road cycling and cycling holidays, are nervous about your endurance on the trail or are recovering from an injury and not quite back to full physical capacity, then e-bikes offer you a safety net so you don’t feel like the odd one out.

• More fun to ride: For many, choosing an e-bike can mean a more relaxed journey where you can spend more time enjoying your surroundings than huffing and puffing.

• Aim for bigger ambitions: E-bikes open many travellers up to the world of cycling holidays, or allow cyclists to choose a trip that covers longer distances. Tougher cycling routes seem more achieveable and newcomers to cycling trips can enjoy the benefits of an e-bike at handlebar level.

While hiring electric bikes cost more than regular bikes, with the added motor and the fact that they require more maintenance, the support and ease of an electric pedal assist is perfect for cyclists that may require a little assistance on their travels.

Our electric bikes are built with comfort and simple operation in mind; they feature unisex frames and provide up to 80 kilometres of pedal assistance before requiring recharging.

Primarily, the best time to explore New Zealand's outdoors by bike is between November and April. However, each season offers a different nature spectacle for travellers to enjoy. The fact that our cycling holiday tours offer vehicle support provides that peace of mind should the weather decide to take a turn.

New Zealand's climate is a maritime climate, which is opposed to the continental climate typical of larger landmasses. Thanks to its position in the path of the ‘roaring 40s’ and mountainous terrain, New Zealand’s varied weather can frequently change with amazing rapidity. Such unexpected changes means you should be prepared for fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions, so make sure you are equipped with a good waterproof jacket and some warm clothing. You don’t need to bring your winter wardrobe but a good fleece/jumper and good thermals are a must, even in summer.

Spring (October - November): The NZ cycling season begins from the end of October, with the weather beginning to warm up and stunning flora starting to splash colour along cycling routes. Though temperatures can still be quite cool, getting active during the springtime still offers the chance of comfortable cycling with fewer crowds. That means more uninterrupted views of blossoming flora along the trail! While there is a higher chance of rain, the spring flowers can often make up for that. The vibrant flowers near Lake Tekapo as well as the lupin lined trails in Mackenzie Country are especially beautiful in November.

Summer (December - February): Summer is a great time to ride the trail. While the days are hot, they aren't too hot for cycling and the longer daylight hours means more time to explore. With lupine in bloom and sunshine on the trail, it's a popular time for visitors in NZ.

Summer temperatures on the South Island ranges from 10 to 30ºC, with a pleasant 40-50% humidity. Higher altitudes are always considerably cooler and snowfall is not uncommon even in summer. The Southern Alps act as a barrier to the moisture laden winds coming west across the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate on the west side of the mountains and a drier climate on the east side. The geography also creates a wind pattern, which can in summer be very hot, dry and fierce. Maximum temperatures we may encounter range up to 30°C. Minimum temperatures expected in the Southern Alps in summer time are around -5°C.

Weather is an integral facet of any mountain range and getting to understand and work with this major environmental factor is what will make you more prepared for your tour.

Autumn (March - April): If you enjoy crisp sunny days, long fine spells of weather and cooler temperatures, Autumn is a great time to ride the trail. The summer crowds have moved on and autumn shows its true colours as the changing leaves transform the landscape into a golden paradise.

Fully supported and guided cycle tours provide an ideal way to experience New Zealand's breathtaking scenery. Enjoy:

• Convenience: Forget the stress of researching the best cycling route for hours on end, or where the next town is to find food. Leave the boring stuff to us so you can focus on the exciting ride ahead. Our guided itineraries are fully supported with plenty of quality inclusions including accommodation and delicious meals.

• Comfort & value: Enjoy the best handpicked accommodation and restaurants to make sure you get a high quality experience and have somewhere comfortable to relax and unwind after a long day on the bike. We'll keep you energised on your bike with most meals catered for and snacks always provided. The inclusiveness of a guided cycling holiday showcases great value for a quality experience, with added flexibility of being able to bring your own bike on the trail.

• Vehicle support: Ride at your own pace – as far or as little as you feel comfortable – knowing a support vehicle is close by for you to hop on should you want a break from your cycle.

• Experienced guides: Secret spots, bike maintenance, tips and the best of laughs, it's always reassuring to know you are in safe hands with our experienced guides.

Operating more guided trips along various Cycle Way than any other company, our Adventure South NZ operation which have pioneered cycling tours since 1992, offer Qualmark Gold awarded guided adventures across both the North and South Islands.

For those who prefer to explore NZ's beauty under their own steam, there are several self guided cycling options through our Qualmark Silver awarded Trail Journeys operation, who are the largest and longest serving bike hire business on the Otago Central Rail Trail.

• Flexiblility: Have your cycling itinerary arranged by as much or as little as you desire and explore Central Otago on your terms. We handle the logistics, so all that's left for you to do is enjoy the cycling and sightseeing.

• Reliable & custom bikes: With a fleet of over 500 hire bikes, riders are individually fitted with the correct bike for their needs. These bikes are selected specifically for use on the trail, and we have a variety of styles, including power assist electric bicycles, or e-bikes. Each bike is fully serviced after every trip so you can be confident in the quality of the equipment provided. Plus, bike hires come with complete back-up and support – there are regular shuttles out along the trail everyday during the season and are usually not far from being able to get you back in the saddle quickly.

• Tailored itineraries: With free itinerary planning and booking service, enjoy passenger, luggage, and bike transport as well as booking other transport services, accommodation and off trail side trips like curling or wine tours.

Our operations with Otago locals, means we know the area inside and out, having helped thousands of travellers put together memorable cycling experiences tailored to their special interests, budgets and time constraints.

More helpful information & New Zealand cycling inspiration