The Loop with Baton Valley Highlights
Grade 2 (Moderate)
200km
Enhance your Great Taste Trail adventure with "The Loop" tour, featuring the thrilling Baton Valley track. Perfect for adventurous riders, this tour adds a rugged twist, inviting you to explore extra kilometres through stunning landscapes. Embrace the beauty of valleys and mountains as you pedal past rural farmlands, sparkling rivers, and vast skies.
Leave the bustling towns behind and immerse yourself in the peaceful backcountry, where the absence of cafes and shops means you’ll need to be prepared. This self-guided tour combines three unique experiences: the Rail Route, Coastal Route, and Valley Routes. Each day offers new scenery, ensuring an ever-changing and unforgettable cycling adventure.
You'll enjoy all the wonderful things the Great Taste Trail is renowned for, including world-class wines, craft beers, and fresh cuisine.
This tour also includes the remarkable Spooners Tunnel section. Opened on April 17, 2016, it is the oldest disused rail tunnel in New Zealand and, at 1352 meters long, the longest in the southern hemisphere. This section is a must-see!
Prepare to fuel your passion for exploration on "The Loop" – an adventure that promises breathtaking vistas and lasting memories!
Itinerary
We recommend you arrive in Nelson the day before your tour. Kiwi Journeys will greet you at the airport and shuttle you into to central Nelson. Our accommodation providers are right in the heart of the Nelson so you can experience the amazing food and beverage options that set the scene for your tour.
Begin your adventure at our Nelson base, where you'll be fitted for your bikes and receive a tour briefing. We recommend arriving by 9:00 am for a flexible 9:30 am departure.
Follow the blue Great Taste Trail markers south towards the charming seaside village of Mapua. Along the way, explore the Classic Car Museum and take a scenic ride down the old Railway Reserve cycle path to Richmond. Enjoy craft beer and delicious food at Stoke and Eddyline Breweries, and don't miss a tour of the new Pics Peanut Butter World.
Continuing on the Great Taste Trail, experience the coastal boardwalks of the Waimea Estuary, home to internationally significant bird species like the White Heron. Cross the stunning Waimea Swing Bridge, and if you have a taste for fine wine, make a detour to Seifrieds, the oldest and largest winery in Nelson.
From there, it's a 10-kilometre ride to The Mapua Ferry landing. At Rabbit Island, you can swim in warm sea waters or stroll along the white sandy beach. The trail then leads you alongside Rabbit Island's main beach to the ferry landing. A short trip across the channel on the iconic Mapua Ferry brings you to Mapua Wharf, bustling with galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, shops, and the boutique Golden Bear Brewery.
Today's ride is an easy grade one, allowing plenty of time to relax and savour the wonderful food, beverages, and activities along the way.
Accommodation: Mapua
After a delightful breakfast, hop back on your bike and ride through Ruby Bay towards the charming village of Tasman. Leaving Tasman, you'll encounter a steady climb up Tasman View Road. The effort is rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of Tasman Bay and the surrounding ranges. This section is a moderate grade 2-3 climb, ascending 200 meters over 4 kilometres.
Next, descend into the Riverside Community and continue to Motueka. A must-visit is Motueka’s best-kept secret, Toad Hall Cafe, perfect for a relaxing lunch or coffee break at the start of Motueka. As you navigate the scenic coastal trail of Motueka, enjoy the variety of bird species and picturesque views.
From Motueka, it's approximately 12 kilometres from Kaiteriteri. The ride takes you through boardwalks and bridges across the farmland and orchards of Riwaka. Don't miss the opportunity to stop at the two excellent cafes in Riwaka or sample brews at the Hop Federation Brewery. Then, enter the "Easy Rider" trail of the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park.
This 4-kilometre section winds through a stunning native beech forest. A reasonable fitness level is required, and inexperienced riders should proceed with caution due to the tight turns and switchbacks.
Upon reaching Kaiteriteri, explore the beautiful golden sands that mark the gateway to the renowned Abel Tasman National Park.
Accommodation: Kaiteriteri
Begin your day by bidding farewell to Kaiteriteri and exiting the exhilarating mountain bike park. Your route back to Riwaka offers a leisurely ride amidst breathtaking scenery, perfect for soaking in the natural wonders.
A mandatory stop at Mrs Smith’s Café promises a delightful coffee break to recharge. From Riwaka, turn right onto Factory Road, leading you along the tranquil West Bank of the Motueka River. Traverse peaceful country roads, passing through picturesque farmland with the gentle flow of the river as your companion.
As you reach Peninsular Road, follow the directions in your wallet to the Peninsular Road Bridge—a picturesque locale inviting you for a refreshing swim in the pristine waters of the Motueka River. Post-swim, your journey continues across the bridge, turning right onto Motueka Valley Highway for a brief 1.5km ride to River Haven. Here, indulge in a well-deserved platter lunch paired with your choice of wine, beer, or juice, scheduled for noon after your invigorating 28km ride from Kaiteriteri.
After a sumptuous lunch, ease back into your saddle for a leisurely 10km ride to your Woodstock accommodation, where tranquillity awaits. This secluded retreat offers peace and serenity, with meals provided by your accommodating host.
Highlights along the trail include the scenic Motueka River, perfect for a refreshing dip, and the culinary delights awaiting you at River Haven
Accommodation: Woodstock
Woodstock to Wakefield, your most adventurous day yet, spanning approximately 62 kilometres through the remote beauty of the Great Taste Cycle Trail. Begin southward along Baton Valley Road, bidding farewell to the Motueka River and embracing the serene Baton River. Your journey peaks as you conquer the newly opened Baton River Suspension Bridge—a thrilling moment marking your passage into uncharted territory.
After crossing, brace yourself for a scenic climb over the low Baton Saddle, followed by an exhilarating descent onto Tapawera Baton Road. Traverse the quaint village of Tapawera before continuing your quest toward Wakefield, 31 kilometres away.
En route, discover the Hidden Sculpture Garden, a whimsical oasis beckoning with its artistic treasures. For a historical thrill, venture into Spooners Tunnel, a legendary 1,352-meter marvel—the Southern Hemisphere's oldest disused rail tunnel. Embrace the eerie darkness and constant chill as you navigate this historic passageway, illuminated by the light provided with your bike hire.
Emerging from the tunnel, relish a gentle downhill ride through Wai-iti Domain, leading you straight to the charming village of Wakefield—a perfect ending to a day filled with discovery and adventure.
Day 4 promises not just distance but an unforgettable journey through New Zealand's hidden gems and historical wonders, offering a blend of nature's tranquillity and the thrill of exploration.
Accommodation: Wakefield
Experience the final leg of your Great Taste Trail adventure with a leisurely journey back to Nelson, brimming with scenic vistas and culinary delights. Begin your day cycling along quiet country roads towards Brightwater, where the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckons at HQ Café and Bar—a perfect start to your day's exploration.
For a delightful diversion, consider a visit to Kaimira Winery via Livingstone Road. This tranquil setting offers a setting to sample fine wines amidst serene surroundings. Continue your ride, crossing the Waimea River on a picturesque swing bridge that frames stunning views of the majestic New Zealand Alps.
Pedal through vineyards, orchards, and verdant farmland as you approach Richmond, where options abound for a memorable lunch break at Grape Escape Café or a visit to TeMania Winery, local breweries, or the historic Olde 'Honest Lawyer Country Pub.
For those seeking unique experiences, don't miss Pics Peanut Butter World or a stop at McCashins Brewery, which will add flavorful dimensions to your journey. Whether you're drawn to gourmet delights, panoramic vistas, or cultural discoveries, there's something to captivate every traveller along this route.
As you near Nelson, consider an alternative route via signs leading to the Airport and Tahunanui Beach, offering a different perspective on the city's vibrant atmosphere and coastal charm.
Your final day on the Great Taste Trail promises a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and culinary indulgence—a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable adventure through the heart of New Zealand's scenic wonders.
Accommodation: Nelson
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$1699 per person (minimum 2pax)
Single supplement, additional $559
Subject to availability, seasonal surcharges may apply
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Cycle Equipment includes a trail comfort bike, helmet, repair kit, panniers, odometer, tunnel lights, and trail documentation.
Quality Accommodation – x 4 nights on the trail.
-Breakfast at most accommodations, depending on availability-Lunch platter & drinks x1
-Dinner x1
Luggage Transfers between accommodations
1 bag per person – limit 15kgs per bag. Extra bags can be stored at Nelson Depot. Lunch Platter & Drinks on Day 3.
Mapua Ferry crossing.
1 x Complimentary airport pick up and drop off per group.
Kiwi Journeys Welcome Pack: souvenir drink bottle and tee shirt. Kiwi Journeys: Great Service, Equipment, and Trail Support!Optional extras:
E-bike upgrade @ $300pp.
Pre and post-trail accommodation. -
12 months of the year. (Subject to availability)
Start dates are flexible - our Reservations staff will work with you to create an itinerary for your preferred dates (dependent on accommodation availability)
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Day 1 – Mapua
Day 2 - Kaiteriteri
Day 3 - Woodstock
Day 4 - WakefieldLet Kiwi Journeys know what you would like included in your tour and we will taylor your itinerary to suit your needs.
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Enjoy this tour and take the effort out of the hills on our high-end pedal assist E-Bikes for an extra $300pp, a popular upgrade!
Pre/Post Tour Accommodation.
