New Zealand Mountain Bike Tours in the Heart of the Southern Alps
If you’re looking to experience the amazing scenery of New Zealand’s South Island on a mountain bike, this is the perfect way to do it. Our Southern Off-Road New Zealand Mountain Bike Tour takes us into the heart of the Southern Alps and follows 4-wheel drive tracks, an abandoned railway, gravel roads and farm tracks. You will be passing through gold-rush ghost towns, dis-used railway tunnels, and viaducts, through world-famous vineyards and ancient forests.
On day two of this spectacular 15-day (Southern Off Road) or 5-day (Central Otago) mountain bike tour of New Zealand we’ll base ourselves at Snow Farm in the heart of the Southern Alps. While Snow Farm is a fantastic destination of skiers during winter, in summer it is a playground for mountain bikers. Its intertwined trails are set up as loops of 1-30 km across a variety of landscapes. All rides start and finish at The Snow Farm lodge, and there are options for everyone including those into downhill riding. However, you’d better hold on to your jaw, because you’ll find it dropping at every turn! The Snow Farm lodge offers a nice setting for afternoon drinks, dinner and an overnight stay.
We’ll wake on Day Three to another big day ahead, including a mighty downhill from the top of the Pisa Range to the Clutha River Valley (approx 800 m vertically). Mt. Pisa is at 1963m and is the highest fully rideable mountain in New Zealand. You may be forgiven for thinking you’re on another planet – Mt Pisa is high, windblown and exposed! We start the ride with a 13km climb from the Lodge and soon enough will be rewarded with stunning views from the summit of Mt Pisa, then a descent down rugged 4WD tracks to Luggate township in time for lunch. We’ll ride to Lake Wanaka and on to Wanaka township via the Clutha River trail and Albert Town.
To experience these New Zealand by mountain bike check out Global Cycling Adventures’ Southern Off-Road Mountain Biking Tour . For a complete list of all New Zealand biking tours, check out New Zealand biking tours.
