Enjoy of story of the John whanau (Mum, Dad, 14 year old boy and a 12 year old girl) riding the Remutaka Cycle Trail situated in the lower part of the North Island, New Zealand over 2 days
When we make the effort and take the time to go on a family biking adventure like riding The Remutaka Cycle Trail, we want it to be an enjoyable experience. To have a ‘great’ multi-day biking adventure it comes down to planning and preparation.
The Remutaka Cycle Trail is part of the NZ Cycle Trail Network making up one of the 22 great rides.
Where is it and how to get there?
It is located in the lower North Island starting in Petone and finishing in Oronogorongo. It is graded from easy to advanced by the NZ Cycle Trail. We did a variation on this ride:
We traveled from Central Wellington to Maymorn on the train, with our bikes (located just past Upper Hutt). Biked from Maymorn over the Rimutaka Incline to the Waiarapa and down to the south coast (Ocean Beach). Along the coast (wild coast ride) and around to Days Bay where we caught the ferry back to Central Wellington. Our trip was approximately 100km and we completed it over 2 days.
The ride and is it doable for you?
How far is the biking journey? Approximately 98km. We choose to do this ride over 2 days, staying a night near Lake Waiarapa. To complete this journey your family needs to be able to ride between 40-60km per day. Given the variable weather conditions that you can encounter in this part of New Zealand if you have any doubts then I suggest you either;
- Finish at Oronogorongo (there are shuttle pick ups available) or
- Stay an additional night at Orongorongo (Riverstone Cottage) making this a 3 day journey
DAY ONE – Maymourn to Cross Creek – 38km – It is 17km to the summit of the Rimutaka Incline is it doable?
Section 1: Maymorn to Cross Creek – 25km… it is 17km to the summit of the Rimutaka Incline
The day starts with you making your way along a gravel and sealed road to the start of the Rimutaka Incline. Once on the incline it is a nice gradual climb on compacted gravel up to the summit. This very family friendly section has lots of points of interest and fun to keep all the family inspired and smiling.
- The regular information posts make for a lot of interest and nice regular breaks as well as regular opportunity for the family to regather.
- The are 3 tunnels to enjoy on your journey up the Remutaka Incline: Mangaroa Tunnel, Pakuratahi Tunnel and Summit Tunnel… so carry a torch!
- We found a spot under one of the bridges for a refreshing dip in Pukuratahi River.
Section 2 : Cross Creek to Karaka Cottage on Waiorongomai Station Ocean Beach 13km.
This section is traveling towards the coast on a sealed rural road – Western Lake Road to Karaka Cottage.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Karaka Cottage on Waiorongomai Station located 13km along Western Lake Road from Cross Creek. This was great accomodation but is probably best suited to riding the trail over 3 days offer a better balanced ride for km/day. Karaka Cottage also offer catering options. Combine this with staying at Riverstone Cottage at Orongorongo or you can finish up at Orongorongo for a 2 day ride.
The best place to stay if choosing this 2 day itinerary is Te Rakau Birding that has a couple of converted railway cabins (located near Ocean Beach)
If you have the ability to carry gear then camping at the basic DOC campground at Corner Creek just beyond Ocean Beach on the south coast may be an option.
DAY TWO- Karaka Cottage to Ocean Beach and onto Days Bay – 59km is it doable?
Section 1 : Karaka Cottage to Ocean Beach 21km
This section is traveling towards the coast on an undulating sealed rural road – to Ocean beach
Section 2: Ocean Beach to Orongorongo 17km
This section along the Wild Coast is exposed and rugged. You are riding on course sand which can provide challenges for traction and also gravel and rock sections. There are a few places along the way that require you to walk your bike to get over the rock. See photos.
Don’t be put off though, 90-95% along here was ride-able for our family and getting off didn’t cause any issues at all. The key is to allow time as this on/off type riding and the terrain means that the distance you can travel is a lot slower.
Section 2: Orongorongo to Days Bay 21km
From Orongorongo you need to bike approximately 2km up the valley on the sealed road to a bridge so you can cross the Wainuiomata River. Once across the bridge you have a bit of a steep climb up the sealed/gravel road – up and over Baring Head and then down – back to the coast. Turn right and continue to make your way around the coast continuing past Pencarrow Lighthouse. Yes, its worth a stop. It can be busy with day trippers so carrying a lightweight lock to lock the bikes together so you know they will be safe as you do the short walk up to the old lighthouse.
Continue to ride the coast to Eastbourne along the Eastbourne Esplanade to Days Bay…where you can catch the ferry to Wellington (bikes travel free).
What skills will you need to do this ride? This track is graded as an easy to intermediate track. The track is a combination of sealed road, compacted gravel, course sand and rock (which will require you to dismount your bike and walk across). The technical riding comes from being comfortable riding on sand and small rocks and being comfortable getting on and off your bike.
What level of fitness will you need to do this ride? You will need moderate levels of fitness. The Rimutaka Incline is well graded trail but at other times along the way you will need to do some short climbs. You will need endurance to complete the ride – although there are many options and variations of the number of days and your start and finish points. Simply, you can tailor the ride to suit your families capabilities.
How could the weather effect the success of your journey? The location of the track, in the Wellington region, and being a very exposed track means that weather can play a large part in the success of your journey. This is a challenge to manage as a family as you obviously cannot control the weather. Some things to help – keep your days shorter (so maybe complete over 3 days). Have some flexibility on the days you can choose to ride.
Is this ride possible with kids attached or towed? The ruggedness of this ride as well as the daily distance means it is not an ideal ride for kids attached. We carried a Tow Whee tow rope  with us and we used it. It is easy and light to carry and it assisted my 12 year old girl at the end of day 2 when struggling against a very good Wellington wind. Also up and over Baring Head.
The ride through to Ocean Beach is a good option if you have kids attached. You will have to sort a solution for getting through the gates when riding the incline,Â
Off the train at Maymorn Station and ready to start the trail
These gates are at regular intervals on the Rimutaka Incline… please consider ease to get through them if using a kids bike seat, trailer or panniers.
Infromartion posts that provide interesting history at regular intervals along the Rimutaka Incline
Be safe and comfortable when riding the Remutaka Cycle Trail
This trail is quite remote. Though you are near small towns you do not pass through any so you need to self sufficient for your ride. Once you reach Eastbourne on the Eastcost of the Wellington tthere are cafes and shops there.
Our comfort and safety tips for the Remutaka Incline
- Bring a torch/ lights for your bike as there are many tunnels to ride through.
- There are a few gates to negotiate on the way up to the summit that can be a little tricky if you have panniers on or have kids attached or towed.
- There are rocky sections on the south coast that may require you to get off your bike and walk.
- We carried a tow rope which can be helpful to assist the kids. It was very welcomed by Hollie when we had a section of the trail into a very good Wellington head wind.
Towards the end of day 2 – a tired Hollie and a good Wellington head wind – required the tow rope we were carrying to be attached and we continued our journey with SMILES still on the kids faces.
An example of the rocky sections of the trail that may require you to dismount your bike and walk
We were blessed with a beautiful day… but the weather can certainly be more rugged on this exposed part of the trail.
Enjoy the experience and have fun
Riding the Rimutaka Cycle Ride and experiencing this part of New Zealand on a bike is very rewarding. There is great variation over the ride…lots for all ages of the family to enjoy. The Rimutaka Incline has great history and the information boards are full of interesting information. The tunnels, and the Siberia Swing Bridge… fun fun fun. On the southern coast there is wildlife to enjoy… we saw a large pod of dolphins and there is a seal colony at Turakirae Head. The Pencarrow Lighthouse makes for another destination to get to along the way. Finishing in Eastbourne/Days Bay which has plenty of cafes to enjoy and if the weather allows a dip in the sea before you head back to Wellington on the ferry.Â
Bring a torch…there are tunnels to go through and the summit tunnel incline is long
Siberia swing bridge…super fun to ride…maybe we went back for a second go. It can get windy here so a little caution if it is blowing
We were blessed with a beautiful day… but the weather can certainly be more rugged on this exposed part of the trail along the coast
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