Welcome to New Zealand's Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail®

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is New Zealand in all its colour and natural beauty - from our highest mountains, past great lakes and rivers, and down to the ocean. Suitable for all ages, the 9 section cycle trail is an easy to intermediate grade, linking the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean.

The Cycle Trail starts at the base of the majestic Aoraki Mt Cook in the National Park or alternatively at Tekapo, with both routes meeting on the shores of the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki.  From there the Trail takes in Twizel and the shoreline of Lake Ohau before climbing to the highest point on the Trial where you view the magnificence of the Mackenzie basin before dropping down to Omarama.  The Waitaki Valley delivers a geo-park of wonders, you meander past more lakes and rivers, ride through vineyards and experience ever changing vistas on you way towards the Pacific coast.  Your final destination is Oamaru, a town famous for its neo classical 'Oamaru Stone' Victorian buildings, art galleries and the little blue penguins.

While under COVID-19 Travel restrictions the Trail is only available to be enjoyed locally.  The move to Level 2 will see those travel restrictions are lifted.  Allow 5-6 days to cycle the entire trail and remember to add some time to investigate the region while you are here.  Alternatively, if time is at a premium, simply make a day excursion or tick off a section or two over a long weekend...  What better way to reconnect friends and family or simply get away from it all, either way, you will be enjoying genuine hospitality in some of the best scenery that the South Island of New Zealand has to offer.

Whichever option you choose, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is sure to be a great destination and a most memorable experience.

Please check the Trail Status page for the latest updates on the amenities that are currently open along the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle trail.

Important Update : New Zealand will move to Level 2 restrictions on 14/5/2020

The Governments Guidelines under Level 2 allow you to leave home, but in a safe way. Participating in sports and recreational activities is allowed, subject to conditions, including limits on gatherings, contact tracing requirements, and – where practical – physical distancing. 

People should keep their distance from people they don’t know in public (ideally 2 metres), with 1 metre physical distancing in other environments unless other mitigating measures are in place. 

Remember to follow the government’s recommended hygiene guidelines... https://covid19.govt.nz/.

Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and others:

• Don’t use any trails if you have symptoms (e.g. fever, coughing, shortness of breath etc). Please stay at home!

• You can now ride with friends and family outside of your bubble. Group sizes can be up to 100 people, although we don't recommend you ride in this size group on our trails – it isn't the Tour de France! Keep your group size to a reasonable number so you can maintain physical distancing and be considerate to other users. Always follow good hygiene and contact tracing practices.

• Avoid remote areas of the Trail.

• If you’re riding with your self-isolating group, make sure everyone knows the recommended hygiene guidelines before they set off.

• Keep at least 2m away from other Trail users where ever possible. When approaching other people by bike slow down so that it’s easier to maintain this separation. Avoid narrow tracks where maintaining this separation may be difficult.

• If you can, avoid touching any surfaces that could be contaminated such as gates, squeeze bars, handrails, fences, benches and picnic tables. The virus can remain on surfaces for three days and sometimes more.  Take hand sanitiser with you.

• Try to avoid using public toilets, so go before you set off. Carry your own toilet paper and sanitiser in case using the toilets is unavoidable.

• Don’t touch your face while you’re riding. Wash your hands, and disinfect your handlebars, when you get home.

• As a general rule dogs are not allowed on the Trail but this happens in some places e.g. through Waireka.  Avoid patting other people's dogs and keep your dog on a lead and under control at all times, they too could be potential source of contamination (from the owners home). 

• Make smart and conservative choices about the rides and walks you choose to do and how you do them to avoid any accidents – the last thing you want to do is end up in A&E putting more pressure on the health services  

Be calm, be kind and be courteous. Be responsible and show the community you care. Kia kaha (stand strong), united we can hep stop the spread of Covid-19 and get back to the Trail being fully available to be enjoyed by everyone once again...

Kia Kaha, take care.