People Cycling Best of North Island Great Rides 2026

Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand. Meeting at a central hotel in Auckland in early afternoon our trip starts with a short introduction and an overview of the trip itinerary and protocol, whilst enjoying a welcome drink. We'll then head to the waterfront or one of the city parks for a bike fitting and introductory ride to test the bikes and spin the legs. Tonight we enjoy our first group meal and celebrate coming together and the fantastic riding ahead. Accommodation: Parnell Hotel & Conference Centre

Meals:  D

Today starts with a short drive South to Kaiaua on the Shorebird Coast to start riding the Hauraki Rail Trail which is a Grade 1-2 trail. After a safety talk, it’s an easy, flat, 2km ride to a bird hide, a shelter where we check out the area’s precious birdlife at close quarters. From there, the trail skirts around the Firth of Thames, offering expansive views of coastal wetlands and verdant farmland, with the volcanic Coromandel Ranges as a dramatic backdrop. Lunch fuels us for our afternoon’s ride to Paeroa, crossing the Waihou River along the way before heading south on the old railway line through lush farmland into the township of Paeroa, ‘world famous in New Zealand’ for its giant Lemon & Paeroa bottle. Dinner at your leisure tonight Accommodation : Racecourse Motel, Paeroa Cycling Distance: Up to 66km or 41mi; 151m or 495ft

Meals:  B

Our third day starts with a delicious breakfast at a local café. The next section of the trail is the trail highlight, following the Ohinemuri River into the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, a sharply winding canyon formed by the river. Highlights include the cascading Owharoa waterfall, fascinating gold mining sites and an amazing 1100-metre long railway tunnel. We retrace our steps in the van back to Paeroa for our afternoon ride to Matamata. Along the way we’ll ride through Waikato farmland with wide-ranging views across the Hauraki Plains. There is the opportunity to shorten the afternoon ride and instead visit the famous Hobbiton film-set, used in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton films. Cycling Distance: Up to 82km or 51mi; 434m or 1422ft Accommodation : The Tower Motel or Maple Leaf Motel, Matamata

Meals:  B,D

Our day starts with a 1hr 15 min transfer to the start of our ride on 2 sections of the Waikato River Trail, following a stretch of the mighty Waikato River. We will enjoy riding through exotic and native forest, wetlands and pretty recreation reserves. Memorable sights include volcanic outcrops and a gorge, hydropower stations, dams and suspension bridges. Both sections are graded moderately technical, intermediate/Grade 3, being relatively easy single track but with the occasional steep section, tight corner or rougher terrain. We’ll end our day with a short drive to Lake Taupo, at the heart of New Zealand's central volcanic plateau and the largest freshwater lake in Australasia. Dinner at your leisure tonight with plenty of options. Cycle - 38km or 24mi; 294m or 964ft Accommodation : Anchorage Resort, Taupo

Meals:  B,L

Lake Taupo boasts a wonderful network of Great Ride trails around the Northern rim of the Lake. We’ll enjoy riding through native wetlands and bush and regenerating forest as well as sweeping descents to secluded bays, perfect for a dip at the end of the day. The trails are graded Intermediate/Grade 3, reflecting terrain purpose built for off-road biking with a good surface but all single track with occasional tight corners and some climbing involved. After loading up, we head to the Timber Trail Lodge in the heart of the Pureora Forest and our home for the next 2 nights. We check into our accommodation and unwind in anticipation for the next day's adventure. Cycling Distance: Great Lake Trails – upto 33km or 21mi, 441m or 1446ft Accommodation : The Timber Trail Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, it’s a 50 min drive to the start of the Timber Trail on the edge of the Pureora Forest. There will be no van support for today’s ride but you will be well supported on the trail with both local guides either riding with you or towards you. This trail is a mixture of Grade 2 (Easy) and Grade 3 (Intermediate) off-road riding and follows old logging roads and tramlines linked with well-constructed unsealed tracks and a series of thrilling suspension bridges. The grading reflects some easier riding on old tramways with some rougher sections on old, narrower, miners’ tracks. We get the hard work out of the way this morning, climbing for 14km with stunning views until we reach the highest point of the ride. From here it’s mostly downhill for the rest of the day, winding down the side of Mt Pureora and across the flanks of the Hauhungaroa Ranges with a couple of amazing suspension bridges to cross along the way. We finish the day at Piropiro Flats, right by our outstanding accommodation and hospitality at the Timber Trail Lodge. For those still with energy to burn, there's the option of a short bush walk from the Lodge. Cycling Distance: Timber Trail - 36km or 26mi; 608m or1994ft Accommodation : The Timber Trail Lodge

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we head from the Lodge back into the native forest and cross over a tumbling gorge on one of the highest and longest swing bridges in the country, keeping a lookout for New Zealand’s native pigeon, the beautiful Kereru. Today’s climbing consists of 2 much shorter uphills compared with yesterday’s ascent, with the 2nd one finishing at the Ongarue Tramway terminus. From there it’s mostly downhill all the way to the end following the old tramway. We pass remnants of the region’s logging history, more swing bridges and the fascinating Ongarue Spiral and its rather spooky, old tunnel. The trail continues downhill to Ongarue. We then load the bikes and drive 90mins to Ohakune, a quaint ski village at the base of Mount Ruapehu, which will be our home for the next 2 nights. Cycling Distance: Timber Trail - 43km or 27mi; 495m or 1624ft Accommodation : The Peaks Motor Lodge, Ohakune

Meals:  B,L,D

The Whanganui National Park is another special place which was created to protect the upper reaches of the Whanganui River. Once an important transport route for both Maori and early European settlers, the river flows from Tongariro National Park to the Tasman Sea through wild lowland forests. With the guides on an official rest day today, a local operator will provide the vehicle transfer to Pipiriki and the start of our adventure with a 55 minute jet boat journey upriver 32 kms to the Mangapurua Landing, through an area of spectacular natural features with deep river gorges covered with lush native vegetation. From the drop off it's an easy grade 40 minute walk following in the footsteps of the early pioneers along the old roadway to the “BRIDGE TO NOWHERE” where we will stop for lunch on this historical monument of a bygone era and learn the history from your local guide. The next part of the adventure is canoeing back down the Whanganui River to Pipiriki, through a landscape of remote hills and bush clad valleys and the scenic gorge of the Manganui o te Ao River. More exotic trees and farmland, an eel weir and the Paparoa rapid follow before reaching the boat ramp below Pipiriki village. A short transfer back to Ohakune for a second night, with dinner at your leisure. Cycling : No cycling today - jetboat and canoeing Accommodation : The Peaks Motor Lodge, Ohakune

Meals:  B,L

Today we're back on our bikes to complete our adventure in the Whanganui National Park. We head back to Pipiriki and ride south along the Whanganui River Road, a fully sealed road but gently undulating with a couple of challenging ascents near the start and finish. The effort, however, is well worth it, not least of all for the elevated views along the river, but also for the many Maori and European heritage sites along the way. Between them, they tell quite the story of New Zealand’s early settlement, beginning with early Maori for whom the river was a primary highway. Major landmarks include Hiruharama (Jerusalem), a catholic church and convent built at the end of the nineteenth century and the restored Kawana Flour Mill, built in 1854. We finish our ride in the picturesque riverside city of Whanganui, one of the first cities to be founded in NZ. There will be time for a short explore of this arty city before a 1 hr 30 min transfer to our accommodation in the Manawatu region. Cycle : upto 62km or 39mi; 950m or3116ft on back country road Accommodation : Makoura Lodge, Manawatu

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we stay off the beaten track on a scenic and often surprising journey through rural Manawatu, full of natural wonders, local history and country hospitality. We wind our way up the Mangawharariki Valley, following deep sided Papa cliffs with wide ranging views to the Ruahine Ranges and vistas of snow covered Ruapehu in the distance. The ride includes stunning climbs and descents overlooking the Kawhatau River and meanders through pretty valleys and native bush. Cycle upto 70km or 44mi, 1170m or 3,838ft Accommodation : Solway Copthorne Hotel, Masterton

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy our final North Island ride on the Wairarapa Cycleway. This is a pleasant touring route with stunning views of the Wairarapa region and plenty of rural charm. We’ll take a mid-morning breather by the delightful Gladstone church before finishing this pretty ride in the small town of Martinborough. Martinborough is the heart of Wairarapa wine-country with plenty of opportunities for tastings and cellar-door dining. It offers a heart-warming blend of down-to-earth rural charm and sophisticated indulgence. The village centre itself is leafy and attractive. We are staying on one of the local vineyards so this afternoon feel free to just relax right there or explore one or more of the neighbouring cellar doors, cruise the boutique shops or we can head across to explore another lovely Wairarapa town, Greytown. We finish the day with our final group dinner at the historic Martinborough Hotel to celebrate the end of a trip of lifelong memories and new friendships. Cycle 60km or38mi; 402m or 1318ft Accommodation : Martinborough Hotel

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast at a local cafe we head across the Remutaka Ranges to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city where you will be dropped at a central Wellington location. If you're joining the People Cycling South Island tour you'll have the next 2 days free to explore this vibrant city before making your own way to Christchurch. Highlights include a visit to Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced ecosanctuary and an incredible slice of wilderness, discovering our stories at our National Museum, Te Papa, riding the historic Cable Car, a visit to Weta Workshop, the home of movie-making magic, or a wander along the waterfront. Cycling : No cycling

Meals:  B