✓ Three or four days of self-guided riding, tailored to your dates and accommodation
✓ Historic rail-trail riding, with Spooners Tunnel on the typical route
✓ Forests, rivers and open farmland
✓ Vineyards and coastal Great Taste Trail landscapes
✓ Accommodation and luggage logistics organised for you
Plains and Coast is a flexible three- or four-day self-guided journey combining inland rail-trail, rural landscapes and coastal Great Taste Trail riding. Explore Kohatu, Wakefield, the Monaco peninsular, Mapua, Motueka and Kaiteretere.
The experience can include the historic 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel, forests, rivers, farmland, vineyards and coastal communities. Cycle Nelson coordinates the accommodation and transfers required for your chosen route.
The four-day itinerary detailed below is our typical Plains and Coast. A three-day version or an extra night in Māpua or Kaiteretere may suit your dates and cycling preferences. An additional day walking or kayaking in the the Abel Tasman National Park is a fantastic way to end your tour!
Off-road rail trail · Historic tunnel · ~45 km · Easy–Moderate
Your luggage is transferred to your first night's accommodation while you set off on one of the trail's most memorable experiences — riding through the historic 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel. Emerging into the light, the trail winds through native forest, along rivers, and across the wide open landscapes of the Nelson plains, passing through the charming town of Wakefield before rolling into Nelson.
Coastal trail · Boat cruise · ~30 km · Easy
A flat, scenic ride along the Great Taste Trail hugging the coast from Nelson. The trail passes galleries, artisan food stops, and the expansive sands of Rabbit Island before a short boat cruise delivers you to the idyllic Māpua Wharf. Explore the village at your own pace — fresh seafood, craft beer, and boutique shops are all within easy reach.
Highlights: Coastal trail · Art & food stops · Rabbit Island beach · Boat cruise to Māpua · Wharf village accommodation
Optional add-on: Extra night in Māpua to explore the boutique wineries and cellar doors of the Moutere.
Rural & coastal riding · Panoramic views · ~29 km · Moderate
From Māpua the trail climbs through Ruby Bay and apple orchards above the coast before reaching Tasman Heights with sweeping views across the region. Descend into Motueka — the heart of fruit and hop country — for a well-earned stop and overnight stay.
Prefer to push on? Continue from Motueka through orchard country and into the Kaiteretere Mountain Bike Park for a scenic finish on the golden sands of Kaiteretere Beach (~44 km total).
Highlights: Ruby Bay · Tasman Heights views · Motueka food scene · Motueka or Kaiteretere accommodation
Coastal riding & MTB park · Panoramic views · ~8 km · Moderate
Transfer home · Rest and relive it all. Your transfer back to Nelson brings a great adventure to a close. If you finished in Motueka, there's time for a leisurely breakfast before pickup or push on to Kaiteretere for a mountain bike 'Easy Rider' adventure and afternoon on the golden sands of Kaiteretere beach. Kaiteretere riders can take a final stroll on the beach before heading home.
Highlights: Transfer to Nelson included · Flexible pickup from Motueka., Riwaka or Kaiteretere
This tour combines historic rail-trail, rural back roads, easy coastal riding, and gentle inclines and descents on the trail including the 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel.
Cycle Nelson arranges accommodation to fit your daily itinerary. We use select B&B's, motels and eco-lodges along the trail. The overnight locations, properties, room type, number of nights and any included meals depend on availability as the trail is very popular in high session. Let us know you dates and we will find the right accommodation for you.
