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Heaphy Track - IMBA Epic
Mountain Biking Trail
Hard
45.26 mi
5,510 ft
One of New Zealand's best known hikes is also (in winter only) an extraordinary multi-day bike ride too!
The West coast of New Zealand's south island isn't famed for its sunny and dry winter conditions (!) but if you get lucky with the weather then this is one of the finest bike adventures on the planet. The trail is famous as a hiking route but is open for mountain bikes from May 1st to November 30th, and group size is limited to 6. The ride goes through the Kahurangi National Park, which was created in 1996, and 15 years later (after much debate) mountain biking was finally allowed on the Heaphy track - in order to keep this arrangement going, please abide by all rules! One of the stipulated rules is that hut bookings are required in advance and can be booked through -
There are 6 huts along the route, and it can be done in either direction, so we'd recommend doing plenty of research via the Department of Conservation before setting off in order to tailor the route to your fitness levels. Elite athletes might even consider doing it in one day but for most mere mortals you'll want 3 or 4 to enjoy the experience fully. Be aware that the most remote part of the track is over 50kms from the nearest settlement, so regardless of how long you plan to take, make sure you've got enough kit to look after yourself in an emergency.
The riding itself on the Heaphy Track is wonderful, with the longest downhill section being almost 13km, and the longest bridge no less than 150 metres! The scenery is amazingly varied too, with grasslands, rainforest and sub-alpine scrub all featuring. Even the final section (the long, flat roll along the west coast itself) is wonderful, and leads to the Kohaihai campsite at the southern terminus of the route.
From there, either get picked up or jump into your pre-shuttled car (either option needs to be organised in advance) and drive 16km south to Karamea to sample some of the legendary west coast hospitality! Written by Charlie Boscoe
The West coast of New Zealand's south island isn't famed for its sunny and dry winter conditions (!) but if you get lucky with the weather then this is one of the finest bike adventures on the planet. The trail is famous as a hiking route but is open for mountain bikes from May 1st to November 30th, and group size is limited to 6. The ride goes through the Kahurangi National Park, which was created in 1996, and 15 years later (after much debate) mountain biking was finally allowed on the Heaphy track - in order to keep this arrangement going, please abide by all rules! One of the stipulated rules is that hut bookings are required in advance and can be booked through -
There are 6 huts along the route, and it can be done in either direction, so we'd recommend doing plenty of research via the Department of Conservation before setting off in order to tailor the route to your fitness levels. Elite athletes might even consider doing it in one day but for most mere mortals you'll want 3 or 4 to enjoy the experience fully. Be aware that the most remote part of the track is over 50kms from the nearest settlement, so regardless of how long you plan to take, make sure you've got enough kit to look after yourself in an emergency.
The riding itself on the Heaphy Track is wonderful, with the longest downhill section being almost 13km, and the longest bridge no less than 150 metres! The scenery is amazingly varied too, with grasslands, rainforest and sub-alpine scrub all featuring. Even the final section (the long, flat roll along the west coast itself) is wonderful, and leads to the Kohaihai campsite at the southern terminus of the route.
From there, either get picked up or jump into your pre-shuttled car (either option needs to be organised in advance) and drive 16km south to Karamea to sample some of the legendary west coast hospitality! Written by Charlie Boscoe
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actual Brown Hut To Aorere Shelter | 7.18 mi | 2,208 ft | 5.7% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 3.60 mi | 1,037 ft | 5.4% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.56 mi | 308 ft | 10.3% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.60 mi | 262 ft | 8.3% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.90 mi | 279 ft | 5.8% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.41 mi | 331 ft | 15.0% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.30 mi | 318 ft | 19.4% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 1.24 mi | 295 ft | 4.5% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 0.33 mi | 331 ft | 18.4% |
| Perry to Gouland (Hut to Hut) | 4.37 mi | -945 ft | -3.5% |
| Perry to saxon | 6.83 mi | -476 ft | -1.0% |
| Gouland to Saxon (Hut to Hut) | 3.36 mi | 364 ft | 1.3% |
| Gouland Downs Hut to Saxon Hut | 3.02 mi | 364 ft | 1.4% |
| Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut | 6.83 mi | -449 ft | -0.1% |
| Heaphy Track Climb | 1.10 mi | 285 ft | 4.9% |
| James Mackay Hut to Lewis Hut (The Downhill) | 7.13 mi | -2,224 ft | -5.9% |
| Heaphy Hut to 20 Minute Beech | 3.51 mi | 151 ft | 0.0% |
| Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai trail head (end) | 9.64 mi | 358 ft | 0.1% |
| Karamea Kohaihai Rd Climb | 1.01 mi | 289 ft | 5.4% |