Ross to Rainforest Ramble
Grade 2-3 (intermediate)
33km
This is a fantastic day out with plenty of time to snap some amazing photos! With a short shuttle ride to Ross, explore the gold mining history before climbing on the bike for the peaceful ride to West Coast Treetop Walk & Café. Here you walk amongst the forest giants and enjoy a yummy lunch!
The trail after lunch is simply breath taking and will be a highlight! This will take you through wetlands, native forest, an old mill site and give you some cracking views of Lake Mahinapua.
Choose to add one of these incredible Scenic Waterways experiences to your day: cruise up to Lake Mahinapua (highly recommended, 4 pax min), a soak in a wood fired hot tub or freedom kayak rental up Mahinapua Waterways.
Itinerary
We suggest you arrive at the Kiwi Journeys depot at 9.00am, for a short briefing and bike fit (this is flexible).
It’s a twenty-minute shuttle ride to Ross and the start of the trail. Here you can explore the Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre, which is the one-stop spot for gold mining history and regional information. Jump on your bike but not before you grab a photo in the famous West Coast Wilderness Trail photo frame.
Following the distinctive orange signs, the trail heads towards the sea before turning onto the historic Ross rail
route which will take you over the Totara Bridge (built in 1908) and give you some lovely views of the Totara lagoon, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Following the trail, you will cross the main road and onto a rural road to the entrance of Treetop Walk and Café. Experience life with the birds, high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy along a steel platform 20 metres high and over 450 metres long. An exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants.
It’s then time for a nice lunch at the café before your ride back to Hokitika. This next section of trail is one of the best you will witness on any New Zealand cycle trail. Enter the historic Mahinapua Tramline where you witness ancient native forest, ride boardwalks above the wetlands and read about the local history on informative panels.
As you exit the native forest, Scenic Waterways is right here! Grab a coffee or pre-book one of their amazing activities including, a soak in a wood fired hot tub, a self-guided kayak trip or a highly recommended cruise up the picturesque Mahinapua waterway to lake Mahinapua, the original route south of Hokitika used by pioneers, gold diggers and early explorers. This is highly recommended by all Kiwi Journeys customers! (NB: 4 people minimum for Scenic Waterway cruise)
From Scenic Waterways, you are only 4kms away from Hokitika. What a day!
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$199pp - 2 pax
$119pp - for groups of 3 or more
$139pp - for anyone joining an existing shuttle which is already going.
$399 – Family (2 x adults, 2 x children).
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Cycle equipment which includes trail comfort bike, helmet, repair kit, odometer, and trail map
Kiwi Journeys water bottle
Treetop Walk entry
Transport: Hokitika to Ross
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12 Months
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Enjoy this fantastic fun day out on our high-end eBikes (electric): extra $60 per person
Scenic Waterway Cruise: $60pp (4 people minimum)
Scenic Waterways Hot Tubs: $100 per group (4-5 people)
Scenic Waterways Freedom Kayak Hire: $70 - $90 (double sit-on kayaks available)
