The Heaphy Experience

The Heaphy Track is a unique, multi-day, remote, mountain bike ride that has no equal in New Zealand.

The Heaphy Track is a unique, multi-day, remote, mountain bike ride that has no equal in New Zealand. 80 km of single-track starting in beautiful Golden Bay and traversing to the West Coast through diverse landscape and vegetation. After being closed to mountain biking for 15 years the Heaphy Track is now open to mountain bikers from May 1st to September 30th each year (on trial) for the next three years.

We have put together a 4-day fully supported and guided mountain biking trip which will allow you to enjoy everything the Heaphy Track has to offer without any hassle of organising the logistics! We’ll get you here, fuel your engine and tantalize your taste-buds, enrich you, exhaust you and send you home with a smile as wide as a West Coast beach.

WHAT IS THE BIKING LIKE?
80 km cross country single track riding in a back-country environment.
GRADE 3+ Suitable for riders with a minimum of intermediate mountain biking skills. The track is technical and rocky in parts with steep slopes, exposed sections and frequent creek crossings. Winter riding conditions can increase riding level to a Grade 4 when factoring distance and remoteness.
FITNESS: A high level of mountain biking fitness is required.
3 DAYS mountain biking - two half days and one full day. 16-45 km per day.

OUR MOUNTAIN BIKES
Our hire bikes are 2011 Avanti Torrent 140mm travel full suspension mountain bikes available in S,M,L & XL.
Our bikes are maintained by us and kept in top running condition. Your guides will carry spares specific to these bikes.
Our hire bikes are fitted with freeload racks and a dry bag to keep your sleeping bag and clothing nice and dry.
Helmets are also included.
If you choose to bring your own bike you will need to bring your own spares and be capable of keeping it serviceable throughout your Heaphy Experience.

+64 3 525 8783

Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 - We will meet you at 5pm at your accommodation in Golden Bay for a trip briefing and we’ll make a thorough check that you have all the gear you need. Enjoy a dinner with your guide(s) and others in your group.

DAY 2 - Following a hearty breakfast we head off to the Heaphy trailhead, picking up a coffee on the way. Then it’s on our bikes and gently uphill on benched tracks through ancient beech forests to Perry Saddle hut at 880m, stopping on the way for a picnic lunch to fuel our legs!! Relax and unwind by the fire while we prepare dinner! |17.5 kms | 3-5 hours

DAY 3 - Up early for the big day! After breakfast we head off across the open tussock country of Gouland Downs. A short climb and some lovely riding will build a healthy appetite for lunch at MacKay Hut. The afternoon begins with a 12 km fun downhill through West Coast subtropical forest and ultimately out to the sea and Heaphy Hut amidst massive nikau palms. Take a walk on the beach before dinner while the sun sinks into the Tasman Sea. |44.5 kms | 6-8 hours

DAY 4 - The last section of this spectacular ride snakes its way in and out of wild west coast beaches
and ancient groves of nikau palms. We meet our transport at Kohaihai before heading to Karamea for a welcome hot shower and lunch. From Karamea we’ll fly by helicopter back to Golden Bay. In the rare case that it is not possible to fly - vehicle transport will be provided. | 16.2kms | 2-4 hours.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

One night in luxury seaside lodge. Two nights in bunk-style Department of Conservation Huts. The huts have communal sleeping sleeping areas, outside toilets and are open to the general public.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Thursday 3-6 May
Thursday 17-20 May
Thursday 31 May - 3 June
Thursday 14-17 June
Thursday 28 June - 1 July
Thursday 12-15 July
Thursday 26-29 July
Thursday 9-12 August
Thursday 23-26 August
Thursday 6-9 September
Thursday 20-23 September
Thursday 27-30 September

TRIP PRICE (Takaka return):
$1950 per person | single supplement $100 | bike & rack hire: $200 | rack hire (if bringing your own bike) $45 | minimum 2 | * price includes Department of Conservation (DoC) concession fees and NZ goods and services tax (GST).

+64 3 525 8783