3 Day Mountain Bike Trip

Things To Know

• Trail Description

  Day 1 – Ship Cove to Punga Cove, Endeavour Inlet

  Depart on the 8am (summer only) or 9am water taxi service to Ship Cove. Visit the memorial to Captain Cook and learn about the historical significance of this place to local Maori before beginning your ride.

  Some riders opt to start at nearby Resolution Bay. This means you don’t need to navigate the very steep climb out of Ship Cove. A $5 fee is payable to the private landowner.

  If beginning at Ship Cove, you will find yourself pushing your bike through some sections of this semi-rideable steep climb through virgin forest to the Ship Cove platform but the reward is a view towards Motuara Island with Kapiti Island, off the coast of the North Island, visible on a clear day.

  Descent into Resolution Bay with some rocky sections to navigate and then begin a fairly long but moderate climb to Tawa Saddle before the downhill towards Endeavour Inlet.  Stop for a cool drink at Furneaux Lodge before continuing your ride around the head of Endeavour Inlet over a mainly flat wide section of track to Camp Bay. Just a few minutes onwards is Punga Cove, your accommodation for this evening.

  Day 2 - Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay

  Ascend to the main Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be riding mostly along the exposed ridgeline with stunning views over both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Bay of Many Coves is a welcome stop to enjoy the vistas.

  The track is wide but is steep in places so watch for drop offs and rocky areas. There is a lot of undulation with many short steep hill climbs to challenge you. Take a break at Black Rock Shelter before the final hills and then descend to Torea Saddle and down the road to Portage Bay, your destination for today.

  Day 3 – Torea Saddle/Portage Bay to Anakiwa

  From Portage Bay, ride up a short road section to join the main Queen Charlotte Track. A tough climb awaits and you will need to push your bike but the reward is stunning views into the Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sound. An easier option is the ride the Kenepuru Road from Portage and re-join the track above Mistletoe Bay.

  From Te Mahia Saddle the track is easier, undulating at first with a long, gradual and exhilarating descent to Anakiwa. The bush is stunning with glimpses into the glistening waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

  Time to rest at Anakiwa where you can purchase an ice cream or cold drink from The Green Caravan (summer time only) and reflect on a fantastic few days while you await your water taxi pick up at 3.30pm. Return time to Picton is 4pm/4.30pm.

  This package is available from the 1st of March through to the end of November.

• Track

  Day	Distance	Time
  1	26.5km	5 hours
  2	23km	4 hours
  3	20.5km	4 hours

   

• Grade Indicator Keys

  Novice - a confident rider on roads or off trail

  Intermediate - has ridden some single tracks but not experienced.

  Advanced - regularly rides single tracks.