Tasman's Great Taste Trail

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Tasman's Great Taste Trail is one of New Zealand’s Ngā Haerenga Great Rides, a scenic and urban coastal ride where you can choose a section or two and head out for a couple of hours, take the whole day, or enjoy a multi-day biking adventure.

At 200km, the trail is also able to be broken up into bite-sized pieces for short morning rides and afternoon adventures, weaving in and around the coastline and offering stunning views of Tasman Bay, the Waimea Plains and the Western Ranges.

Treating riders to an array of extraordinary sights and experiences, the trail lands riders right on the doorstep of cellar doors and vineyards, seaside restaurants, craft breweries, orchards, art studios and galleries, all of which showcase the visual, artistic and culinary ‘tastes’ of the Nelson Tasman region.

Landmarks and hotspots along the way include the submerged wooden boardwalks in the Waimea Estuary, the much-loved Mapua Wharf, the rolling Ruby Coast hills, the Janie Seddon shipwreck, the golden sands of Kaiteriteri Beach and the historic Spooners Railway Tunnel. The long sandy beach of Rabbit Island is connected with Mapua Wharf via a cycle ferry that crosses the inlet, whilst the journey from Belgrove is the perfect opportunity to indulge in artisanal flavours as you pass five of the regions 22 cellar doors.

The accessibility and adaptability of the trail differentiates it from many of New Zealand’s other Great Rides, enabling people of all ages and abilities to indulge in the Nelson Tasman’s great tastes at their own pace, and in their own way. Local cycle hire, tour and transport businesses make the experience even easier, offering rentals, pick ups and drop offs at various points along the trail. Additionally, the trail abounds with places to eat and stay, so you’ll never be far from somewhere to refuel or rest for a while.

A majority of the trail is easy, flat, off-road riding, although some on-road sections still remain. There are a few grade 3 sections in the hill valleys.

Approximate riding times (excluding stops):

Town to Country: Nelson CBD | Airport | Richmond | Brightwater | Wakefield | 2-3 hours
Sparkling Coastline: Richmond | Rabbit Island | Mapua | Motueka | Riwaka | Kaiteriteri Beach | 4-6 hours
Rural Tasman: Wakefield | Spooners Tunnel | Tapawera | 2-3 hours
Back and Beyond: Tapawera | Baton River | Pokororo| Riwaka | 4-6 hours

Dogs are not allowed on several sections of the Tasman's Great Taste Trail, including Spooners Tunnel and Rabbit Island.