Cycle Trails

Around the Mountains trail

New Zealand’s newest Great Ride multi day cycle trail. The cycle trail is quickly growing in popularity, so get your ride planned today!

Grade

Duration

Best time to ride

TRAIL STATUS: The trail is currently Open. Please be aware we recommend highly against riding the whole trail in winter. Winter conditions are changeable and you can find some sections impassable. After heavy rains, the two fords in the Von Valley may need to be walked, or you may need vehicle transport to cross. For help with transport, accommodation bookings or bike hire get in touch.

Our operating season: 1st October through to 30th April

An epic 186km journey, starting at Walter Peak.

Set in the deep south of New Zealand, the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail circles the picturesque Eyre Mountains, cuts through remote valleys and truly gets you off the beaten track. Through the agriculture areas Southland is known for, to towering mountains on either side of you, the Around The Mountains Cycle Trail has a bit of everything to bring a smile to your face.

The 186km journey on the Around the Mountains Trail can be ridden in either direction, however all of our tours will start from Walter Peak and finish in Kingston. This gives you a tailwind for the prevailing wind and gives you one day of uphill and the rest is a nice and gentle downhill ride all the way to Kingston. A 3 to 6+ day ride lets you set your own pace, with a highly recommended option of riding the Lake 2 Lake Cycle Trail to bring some epic Fiordland National Park scenery in to your bike adventure.

Immerse yourself in true southern hospitality, pedal through historic towns and rural farmland. Explore the world famous Mavora Lakes, the towering mountains and crystal clear lakes, streams and rivers. Take a picture at one of the awe inspiring Lord of the Rings film locations at the North Mavora Lake, stop for a snack and spot trout playing in the remote Oreti and Mataura rivers. Cycle through Mt Nicholas and Walter Peak high country stations.

At the start of your trip, a cruise across Lake Wakatipu will help the Around The Mountains Cycle Trail be a bike trip to remember.

With no accommodation at Mavora Lakes and limited accommodation options in some areas, we have created some great options to suit your needs and found some great solutions that let Bike Fiordland stand out from our competitors.

Trail Tips

Here’s some of our top tips to help you enjoy your time out on the trails. 

If you want help with itineraries, bike hire, transport or accommodation we can help. 

Make sure your bike is in top condition for the trails. If you need a tune up, come see us at our Bike Workshop in Te Anau, or hire a bike for the day.

  • Warm gear
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Water
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen + insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Closed toe footwear
  • Food and snacks

The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail starts and finishes in Queenstown with all of our itinerary packages and custom itineraries. If you need transport to or from Queenstown accommodation or the airport, we can help organize all of this for you.

If you have planned your own itinerary, we have shuttle and transport available. Please note that it is best to get in touch with us before you book accommodation as most inquiries we receive for transport have not planned their tour well and require extra transfers due to the locations they have booked.

Talk to us about trail transport or itinerary options, to make your ride easier.

Most of the trail is fairly even and easy to ride if you have some biking experience. The cycle trail is grade 1 to 2, apart from two ford crossings on the Von Road which are grade 3, but don’t worry, if you don’t want to ride the ford crossings, you can be transported over the stream in the support vehicle. All our tours will be vehicle assisted on your first day of riding due to health and safety and the remoteness of the area.

Be sure to bring snacks, lunch and a water bottle for the Von Valley section. We can bring picnic lunches for you if pre ordered.

Plan your food and water out carefully. All of our tour groups will be given plenty of information on the facilities along the trail.

  • Spend extra time in Te Anau and explore Milford or Doubtful Sounds.
  • See Fiordland by bike on the Milford Road, or Borland Road
  • Do a Lake Te Anau Cruise after a day of riding the Lake 2 Lake Trail
  • Stop in Lumsden to enjoy the heritage railway precinct
  • Take in the amazing backcountry views from Von Hill
  • Stop for a tour of the Walter Peak homestead

Talk to us about organising a personalised tour with activities to suit.

Depending on how many days you take to ride the trail, you can stay overnight in Te Anau Garston, Athol, Lumsden, Mossburn and some beautiful back country stations. Talk to us about organising accommodation to suit your trip. 

Tours on this trail

4 day Experience Around the Mountains

4 Days

Easy

from $2199

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