✓ Choose a four, five or six-day self-guided full 200km Great Taste Trail journey.
✓ Combine coastal riding, rail-trail sections and remote Nelson Tasman countryside.
✓ Ride through vineyards, forests, rivers and farmland as your confirmed route allows.
✓ Allow extra time around Māpua or Kaiteretere where it suits your itinerary.
✓ Accommodation and day-trips are tailored to your chosen duration and mileage.
Loop the Loop is a flexible self-guided journey encompassing coastal and inland sections of the full Great Taste Trail, a 200km loop connecting Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Motueka, and Kaiteretere. Take in vineyards, orchards, historic rail-trail sections and sparkling coastlines along the way. Experience the 'Back of Beyond', the remote sections of the trail through the stunning Baton Valley. Your cycle will take you along the foothills of the remote and rugged Kahurangi National Park. Get away from it all and enjoy bird song, farmland and native bush, suspension bridges and crystal clear rivers.
Choose a four, five or six-day itinerary to suit your available time and preferred pace. Nelson Tasman is at its most breathtaking when explored on a bike, choose to relax, Loop the Loop and experience it all!
The itinerary below details our typical five-day tour. Add an extra day to spend more time around Māpua or Kaiteretere or enjoy a day exploring the Abel Tasman National Park on foot or by kayak. If you prefer longer days in the saddle the Loop can be cycled in 4 days but this option is dependent on the availability of accommodation in the Back of Beyond section of the trail.
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 · ~46 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, then follow the trail through orchard country and into the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park for a scenic finish on the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Beach.
Highlights: Ruby Bay · Tasman Heights views · Motueka food scene · Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park · Kaiteriteri Beach accommodation
Historic rail trail · Forest & river riding · ~45 km · Moderate
Leaving the coast behind, the trail heads inland through the fruit-growing country around Motueka before climbing into native forest and following historic rail corridors through the Waimea valley. A quieter, more remote day with some of the tour's most rewarding scenery — rivers, farmland, and forest all feature before you arrive in Woodstock.
Highlights: Inland trail · Native forest · River valleys · Farmland scenery · Woodstock accommodation
Historic tunnel · Rail trail · ~55 km · Easy–Moderate
The highlight of the inland leg — riding through the famous 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel, one of New Zealand's great trail experiences. Emerging into open farmland, the trail winds through the peaceful rural landscapes of the Waimea plains and into the charming town of Wakefield, a great spot to rest up and reflect on the journey so far.
Highlights: Spooners Tunnel · Waimea plains · Wakefield village · Country town accommodation
Easy valley riding · Trail finale · ~35 km · Easy
A relaxed final day following the trail back toward Nelson through orchards, rivers, and open farmland. A fitting end to a loop that has taken in the very best of the Nelson Tasman region — coast, country, forest, and everything in between.
Highlights: Valley trail · Orchard country · Nelson city finish · Transfer or self-return to start
This varied itinerary combines coastal trail, historic rail-trail sections, including the 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel and remote 'Back of Beyond' cycling. Rolling hills and short climbs feature most days on the Loop.
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 season and accommodation is limited on the more remote sections of the Loop tour. Let us know you dates and we will find the right accommodation for you.
