Track Overview & Map

The Marlborough Sounds

Early Maori spoke of two different legends of the formation of the Marlborough Sounds and New Zealand.

One tells how Kupe, the Maori warrior god, fought with a giant octupus in the Pacific Ocean. As the battle raged, the octupus reached out with its tentacles and grasped at nearby land, gouging out all the intricate bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds. Kupe finally overcame and slew the octopus and cut out its eyes and threw them into the sea nearby - today these are the Brothers Islands near the entrance to Cook Strait.
The other speaks of Maori gods who came down from the heavens in a great canoe and then found themselves unable to return. The canoe capsized and its keel rose to form the Southern Alps while its prow shattered and sank, its ridges becoming the network of waterways known today as the Marlborough Sounds.

Geologists tell us the Marlborough Sounds are a network of sunken river valleys, where the land has slowly sunk and the water level has risen, flooding a vast area over millions of years. This intricate land mass is not only spectacular but unique in New Zealand as it is the only large land area that is still sinking into the sea. Three main bodies of water make up the Sounds - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus - and a number of islands are dotted throughout its expanse.

Maori have inhabited New Zealand for more than 1000 years and it is believed that they have had a presence in this area since that time. Mobility was crucial during this early existence as settlement followed food source. There were many small settlements throughout the Marlborough Sounds and a number of different iwi (tribes) have affiliations to this place.

The first known European to visit Queen Charlotte Sounds was the famous English explorer, Captain James Cook, on the HMS Endeavour. He sailed into Ship Cove, today the start of the Queen Charlotte Track, on January 17, 1770 and made this small cove his South Pacific base for the next seven years. He was to return many times. It was here the first social interaction between South Island Maori and the European took place.
Today visitors to the Marlborough Sounds generally arrive by inter-island ferry from New Zealand's North Island into the charming seaside port of Picton, the gateway to Queen Charlotte Sound. The larger centre of Blenheim is also just 20 minutes drive away with a domestic airport and the coastal train from Christchurch also provides links by rail to and from Picton.

The Marlborough Sounds - it is the ultimate place to hike, mountain bike and sea kayak with Wilderness Guides as you follow in the footsteps of those gone before.

Ride the Queen Charlotte Track
With its benched surface, spectacular views, native bush and challenging technical difficulty, the track offers mountain bikers an exhilarating challenge. And, of course, you don't have to carry a heavy pack as while you ride from place to place, one of the many water taxi companies will transport this for you to your accommodation.

Its unique dual use enables both walkers and mountain bikers to co-exist - albeit by relying on courtesy from both parties. The surface of the track is mostly clay which makes for a hard and fast ride over the dry summer months but it can be tricky after rain and biking is not recommended at such times for your comfort and to protect the track from damage.

Please be aware the Queen Charlotte Track is a scenic but physically demanding and technical track for mountain bikes, recommended for experienced single-track riders as the Queen Charlotte Track is more challenging to bike than to walk.
62% intermediate/grade 3,
28% advanced/grade 4, 
10% expert/grade 5.  
There are no sections rated for novice or beginner riders (grade 1-2).

You will encounter loose rock, tree roots and branch litter, along with rutty climbs and descents along the track. 
All but the most experienced riders will end up pushing at points.
After heavy rain the clay-based trail is very slippy with reduced traction and mud build up.

This track is a good step up in difficulty compared to riding either the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trails, Timber Trail, Otago Central Rail Trail (mostly grades 1-2).

This is a similar difficulty rating to the Coppermine Trail, St James Cycle Trail, or Waikato River Trail (mixed grades 3-4).

As a Great Ride, the Queen Charlotte Track falls under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Cycle Trail/Nga Haerenga.
The NZCT has updated it's E-Bike policy to allow these on higher grades than previously advised: 

E-mountain bikes are suitable provided they are ridden appropriately, have sufficient battery capacity, and the rider is capable of completing the trail in the event of a battery/power failure.

NZCT Mountain Bike Trail Grades are as follows: 
 
Intermediate/Grade 3: 62%
Suitable for regular [frequent], experienced cyclists with a good level of fitness and over 12 years old; children should be accompanied by an adult.
Off-road trails can be narrow and may include hills, steep drop-offs and small river crossings. Trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose sections, and obstacles such as rocks or tree roots.
 
Advanced/Grade 4: 28% - Kenepuru Saddle to Bay Of Many Coves 
Suitable for fit, experienced cyclists with good off-road and/or on-road skills, a high level of fitness and over 12 years of age; children should be accompanied by an adult.
Off-road trails are narrow with steep climbs and unavoidable obstacles. The trail surface includes firm and loose sections, with lots of rocks and tree roots. There is likely to be mud and poor traction in places, and some walking required.

Expert/Grade 5: 10% Torea Saddle to Te Mahia Saddle
Suitable for fit, experienced cyclists with excellent off-road skills and a high level of fitness. Not suitable for children.
Off-road trails are likely to be challenging with long, steep climbs, precipitous descents and dangerous drop-offs as well as rocks, roots, ruts and potentially hazardous river crossings.

Grade 5 Sections of the QCT are from Kenepuru Saddle to Bay of Many Coves Shelter, the climb out of Torea Saddle, and the descent into Te Mahia Saddle.