Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a cycle trail funded as one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. The trail extends more than 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Oamaru on the Pacific Ocean. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail allows cyclists to experience beautiful scenery. Suitable for all ages, the trail is an easy grade, and offers a mix of on and off-road trails.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a 301km trail from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. This is New Zealand, in all its colour and beauty - from the highest mountain, past great lakes and rivers, down to the ocean. Suitable for all ages, the 8 section trail is an easy to intermediate grade, offering a pleasing mix of on and off-road trails. Allow 4-6 days for the entire ride, or simply try out a day excursion. Whichever option you choose, the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is sure to be a memorable experience. Highlights include:

• Aoraki/Mt Cook • Scenic Helicopter Flights • Snow-capped Mountains • Golden Tussock Landscapes • Glacier Lake Tours • High Country Stations • Hydro Canals • Native Forests • Elephant Rocks • Limestone and Clay Cliffs • Maori Rock Art • Vanished World Fossil Sites • Boutique Shops • Museums • Lakes: Ohau, Pukaki, Benmore, Aviemore • Historic Limestone Tunnels • Hydro Dams: Benmore, Aviemore, Waitaki • Vineyards • Oamaru's Victorian Precinct • Galleries & Gifts • Steampunk HQ, Oamaru • Blue Penguin Colony • Pacific Ocean

Funding for the trail from the NZCT budget was approved in July 2010, after the trail had been shortlisted as one of 13 from 54 nationwide proposals.

The trail has been lauded by Tourism Waitaki general manager as the greatest tourism opportunity the Waitaki Valley region had ever seen.

The trail comprises eight sections, and from west to east descends from 780 metres (2,560 ft) down to sea level:

The 32 kilometres (20 mi) long first section starts out on a dedicated cycle trail, ideally suitable for mountain bikes, and continues on a quiet gravel road. The first section is the most remote of the trail and includes some unbridged stream crossings. Braemar Station offers only limited accommodation - one option is to include the second section on the first day of riding.

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