Overview
Section 1 
The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail starts at the White Horse Hill Campground, which is 2km north of Mt Cook Village. From here, a 8km off-road trail takes you to Mount Cook Airport, where riders will need to make a short helicopter flight (at your own expense) across the Tasman River to a spot called Rotten Tommy.
Travelling in a helicopter across a glacially-fed braided river with New Zealand’s highest mountain in view is a must do. The helicopter can carry up to 6 passengers at a time (depending on weight limits).
INFLITE Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters: 0800 800 702 [Mt Cook Airport] - Inflite are Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Guardians
Heliworks: 0800 666 668 [Mt Cook Airport]
Helicopter Line: 0800 650 651
For more information, please contact A2O bookings on 0211955572 or [email protected]
From the helipad landing point at Rotten Tommy it’s 8.6km to the Jollie Car Park at the top of Hayman Rd [18km]. This track is rough in places and includes several creek crossings. On occasions after heavy periods of rain in the mountains the Tasman River is subject to flooding the Trail - please check in with your booking Agent / Tour Operator or the helicopter company directly, for an update on the expected flight and river status, as flights and landing points are subject to weather and river conditions. An alternative helicopter landing point is possible at the Jollie Carpark if the Tasman River is in flood at an additional charge.
On a clear day this section of Trail offers views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3,724 metres, which towers above a range of snow capped peaks in the Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park. 40% of the National park is covered by glaciers with the Tasman Glacier being NZ's largest (covering 100sq.km.) and the longest at about 24km long (but it is shrinking fast at up to 800m/yr). Nineteen of the country's 20 peaks over 3,000 peaks are also found in this National Park.
From the Jollie Car park, it’s 16.8km on gravel road to Braemar Road.
Alternative Routes:
• Lake Tekapo
Follow the Tekapo Canal Road to Lake Pukaki. More info here.
• Tekapo B Power Station
Located near the bottom of Lake Pukaki, close to the start of the off-road section of trail.
• Jollie Carpark
You can ride up to the Rotten Tommy helipad and back [19.2km return].
Highlights Include
- Aoraki/Mt Cook and the National Park
- DOC Visitor Centre
- Walking Tracks – Hooker Glacier Terminal Lake, Red Tarns, Governor’s Bush, Blue Lakes, Mueller Hut
- Tasman Glacier and River
- Scenic Flights and Glacier Landings
- The Helicopter Transfer over the Tasman River
- Lake Pukaki
- High Country Stations
- Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Stargazing
