Kahurangi 500 - the ultimate NZ bikepacking adventure

Heaphy Track by Spoke Magazine

The Kahurangi 500 is an epic off-road adventure through the rugged beauty of Kahurangi National Park

This thrilling 500km journey showcases the breathtaking landscapes, rugged backcountry, winding trails, and the untamed charm of one of NZ's largest national parks.

Of all the Great Walks, Heaphy delivers the strongest contrasts.

The Heaphy Track by Helicopters Nelson.

5-10 days | 500km

Highlights

Two of NZ's best singletrack trails, the Heaphy Track & The Old Ghost Road
Diverse landscapes, from vineyards to marble mountains
Incredible wildlife, cosy cafés and picturesque towns of Golden Bay

Roots Bar in Tākaka absolutely lives up to its alliterative motto—“beats, beers, burgers, bands”.

The Rameka winds through native forest from the top of Tākaka Hill down to Golden Bay.

Starting your adventure

Begin your journey in Tapawera, travelling anticlockwise for maximum enjoyment of standout trails like the Rāmeka and Heaphy Tracks. After conquering the legendary Tākaka Hill (or opting for a bypass), the route winds through idyllic Golden Bay, crosses the Heaphy Track, and follows the rugged West Coast to The Old Ghost Road. From there, it climbs to Lyell, continues through Buller Gorge to Murchison, and winds back to Lake Rotoroa via the Braeburn Track. The final stretch is a relaxed ride up Tadmor Valley, leading you back to Tapawera.

The Heaphy Track is only open to bikes from 1 May to the end of November, which makes this full loop a non-summer and potentially precarious weather scenario.

Bypassing Tākaka Hill

For those seeking alternatives to the steep Tākaka Hill climb, consider cycling from Riwaka to Mārahau, taking a boat along the Abel Tasman coastline to Totaranui and continuing to Tākaka.

Keep in mind that skipping Tākaka Hill means missing the exhilarating Rāmeka Track.

Extending the challenge

Starting in Nelson City adds another layer to this adventure. Cycle Tasman’s Great Taste Trail to Riwaka, then link back via Tapawera, Motueka, or Wakefield for a complete Kahurangi 600 experience.

Follow Joe Nation's ride across the Kahurangi 500

Joe rode the Kahurangi 500 as his final sizeable training ride before travelling over to Kyrgyzstan to race the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race, which he won.