Key info
Duration: 2 days
Total Distance: 43.5km
Grade: Intermediate to Advanced (if riding on track) | Novice to Intermediate (if riding road and track)
Minimum number of persons: 1
If you have longer to spend, why not consider a two day mountain bike experience of the Queen Charlotte Track. This combines popular sections of the track able to be biked year round with an overnight at Portage Bay in either backpacker or ensuite-style accommodation. We organise your accommodation, luggage transfers, daily lunch, water transport to/from the track and QCTLC private land access pass. All you do is purchase your breakfast and dinner along the way and enjoy the ride!
Duration: 2 days
Total Distance: 43.5km
Grade: Intermediate to Advanced (if riding on track) | Novice to Intermediate (if riding road and track)
Minimum number of persons: 1
Day 1 – Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay
Depart Picton and after an enjoyable cruise disembark at Punga Cove in Endeavour Inlet and 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 2 – 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 year round.
Day | Distance | Time |
1 | 23km | 4 hours |
2 | 20.5km | 4 hours |
0% Novice (Grade 2) - Suitable for a confident rider on roads or trails. Easier gradients, trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose rocks.
62% Intermediate (Grade 3) - Suitable for most experience cyclists with a good level of fitness. Trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose sections, and obstacles such as rocks or tree roots.
28% Advanced (Grade 4) - Suitable for fit, more experienced cyclists with good off-road and/or on-road skills. The trail surface includes firm and loose sections, with lots of rocks and tree roots.
10% Expert (Grade 5) - Suitable for experienced cyclists with excellent off-road skills and a high level of fitness. Challenging with long, steep climbs, precipitous descents and potentially dangerous drop-offs, as well as rocks, roots, and ruts to navigate.
Our team live, work and play in this fantastic region - your guides are local people. Call us on +64 3 5735432. Freephone (NZ only): 0800 266 266. Freephone (Aus only): 1800 281 827