7 Day Backcountry Mountain Bike Tour

Day 0 – Christchurch

Enjoy the city at your own leisure or sleep in to get over the long flight. Your Adventurefuel Bike Guides will meet you in the afternoon to help build bikes or introduce you to your bike rentals. This is a meet and greet and a great time to settle any nerves and get excited for the upcoming trip. We will go for a drink to get to know each other once all the bikes are ready.
Cycling distance: 0
Included Meals:  n/a

Day 1- Christchurch

Now we are into it! Welcome to our local trails in the Christchurch’s Port Hills. Flowing singletrack along the crater rim gives incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and the Southern Alps. Ride some volcanic rock and hand built trails. At the end of the day we take our private bus into the mountains for our first night in the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Riding distance: Up to 40km 500m Climb / 1400m Descent
Included Meals: B, L,D

Day 2- The Craigieburns

Wake up in the hills and it’s a very short drive to start riding. The Craigieburns is a local favourite. Including two sections of the NZ Enduro, so picture tight, rooty trails in native beech forest. We will tailor the rides to the group and conditions but can guarantee world class riding.
Riding distance: Up to 27km 950m Climb / 980m Descent
Meals:  B,L,D

Day 3- Old Ghost Road

This is the biggest day of the tour but we take our time and enjoy the forest, filled with native birds and waterfalls. Winding up the abandoned gold mining tracks to lunch at Lyell Saddle Hut.

More climbing awaits as we ride through the moss covered cloud forest until we reach the alpine ridge and breath-taking views. The singletrack weaves along the ridgeline passing through the legendary ‘Heaven’s Door’ before descending to Ghost Lake Hut. Watch the cloud rolling through the valley and enjoy the serene night in a remote alpine hut.
Riding Distance: Up to 30km 1306m Climb / 427m Descent
Meals:  B,L,D

Day 4- Old Ghost Road

Waking up to more incredible views over coffee and breakfast then riding out of the hut and straight into the trail. Winding down to Skyline Ridge before we enjoy an 800m (2600ft) descent, purpose built for mountain bikes.

Snacks and shake out the forearms at Stern Valley Hut before climbing up to Solemn Saddle and another ripping descent through to Mokihinui River confluence. One last push takes along the gorge with hanging bridges and waterfalls until we get to the Rough and Tumble Lodge for a well deserved pizza and even more deserved bush shower!
Riding Distance: Up to 55km 790m Climb / 1960m Descent
Meals: B,L, D

Day 5- Secret Trails and Thermal Hot pools

Slowing things down a little today we say goodbye to the Rough and Tumble Lodge and drive along the beautiful West Coast before exploring another old gold mining town. Here we take in some little known backcountry riding with some more stunning beech forest. Then onto the nights accommodation at Maruia Hot Springs for saunas, hot springs and excellent dining.
Riding Distance: Up to 11km 720m Climb / 720m Descent
Meals: B, L,D

Day 6- Hanmer Springs

Leaving the Southern Alps we head back through the foothills to another local favourite. Hanmer Springs has great pools but also amazing riding. We head into pine forest for our final riding day, having the option to run a few laps on trails we like as well as tick off Tombstone, one of the best trails in the area. We finish up the day with our farewell dinner. New friends and countless new stories.
Riding Distance: Up to (26km 700m Climb / 960m Descent)
Meals: B, L,D

Day 7- Christchurch

We leave our hotel for breakfast and head back to Christchurch to your hotels or the airport. The Adventurefuel Bike Guides will help you box up your bikes if you need and say our final farewells. Smiles and hugs as we say goodbye to see you next time!
Riding Distance: 0km
Meals: B,