Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
New Zealand Cycle Trail
Mackenzie Country, South Island
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail will stretch 312 kms through the Mackenzie Basin and down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and the Pacific Ocean; beginning at the base of New Zealand's highest peak and passing a number of glacial lakes while descending 780 metres to the mighty Pacific Ocean, this promises to be one of New Zealand's most epic Great Rides.
While there will be a number of entry points along the trail, the logical path is heading downhill from Mt Cook Village with the prevailing north-westerly wind to aid you along the way. A number of towns along the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail will offer accommodation options, delectable cuisine and other activities along the way - catering to both single and multi-day cyclists.
It is also the only New Zealand Cycle Trail to have Helibike alternative to one of the sections. Instead of riding from Twizel to Ohau Village around the mountains on the flat, fly to the summit, admire the views and ride down the other side. An amazing backcountry adventure for all abilities. If you are keen to take this heli-bike alternative (and why wouldn't you be?), check out Helibike.com in our Things to Do tab above.
This epic trail will continue through The Mackenzie Basin, past Lake Ohau, Omarama, Otemetata, Lake Benmore, Lake Aviemore, Lake Waitaki, Kurow, Duntroon, past Elephant Rocks and Vanished World sites and into Oamaru.
Sections of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
| Trail Distance | Trail Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| AorakiMount Cook National Park– Braemar Station | Flat & Slightly Downhill (Grade 2) | |
| Braemar Station to Twizel | Flat & Slightly Downhill (Grade 2) | |
| Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) | |
| Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) | |
| Omarama to Otematata | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) | |
| Otematata to Kurow | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) | |
| Kurow to Duntroon | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) | |
| Duntroon – Oamaru | Undulating with some Short Steep Sections (Grade 2) |
Photos
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Comments
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Hi All. There's a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding the trail due to the limited information released so far. All the questions on this page are answered on the new website Alps2OceanCycleway.co.nz. In a nutshell, it's ridable from December 2012 and some bits will be on the road for the next few years. Remember, the Rail Trail took years to be what it is today. Good things take time!
Happy Riding!Posted by Sara, 21/05/2012 12:13am (3 days ago)
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Hi Joy, yes until the trail is completed then the only way to make this ride would be via the main road - so far from ideal.
It is our understanding that the Alps to Ocean trail is forecast to be officially completed in November of this year.
Gerald's comment below is the only bits of the trail we have recently been able to ride.Posted by Dan Roberts (NZByBike), 14/05/2012 9:01pm (9 days ago)
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We are being led to believe through New Zealand Cycle ways that this is an off road purpose built cycle way for safety off road. If you are to bike on the main road this is a busy 100km road. Not safe. When is the cycle way to be completed??
Posted by Joy Luxon, 14/05/2012 8:24pm (9 days ago)
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The Alps to Ocean Trail is not really a cycle trail and it is far from complete. I would estimate 30% complete - A 10km section from Tasman Point and a few kilometres at the southern end of Lake Pukaki are all that has been built. Most of the trails distance, apart from Lake Pukaki and Duntroon to Oamaru is on public roads. There is no 'trail' from Omarama to Duntroon and cyclists must follow the main Omarama to Duntroon highway with all the dangers that creates from speeding traffic.. With the Alps to Ocean Trail, the New Zealand Cycleway people are marketing something that does not exit and are claiming that the cycleway is 90% complete. People are warned to check out the reality before setting out to cycle this trail.
Posted by Gerald Cunningham, 21/04/2012 3:57pm (1 month ago)
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We did it!
Eight of us left Mount Cook and cycle the route the whole way to Oamaru. We took 7 days and enjoyed each little section. Average age of 65!! What a wonderful trail and though only about 1/4 off road the rest of the trail was virtually traffic free. The scenery was stunning. Some thick metal in some areas which needs flattening and lack of toliet facilities in some areas needs to be address. Also a detailed map with planned and future planned routes (colour coded) would be useful. Because of lack of definitive map the signage needs to be more prominent as two of our party got lost and rode 14kms more than they needed to. As the trail is still in it infancy and having some local political wrangles it was one of the very best holidays I have had. We all agreed it was a stunning trail with lots of really suitable accommodation along the route. I would rate it above the Otago rail trail and I also loved that. Plan to write day by day blog.. for anyone who may be considering this trail..Posted by Lucy Casey, 24/03/2012 10:33am (2 months ago)
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When is this trail going to be 100% open & access from the Hermitage side is by??
Can you drive all the way up to the starting point on the trail side?Posted by Colin, 12/03/2012 12:09pm (2 months ago)
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Keen to know if available in March 2012. Looks fabulous.
Posted by Cheryl Hutchison, 25/09/2011 7:48pm (8 months ago)
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