Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail

A long, mostly downhill South Island traverse linking glacial landscapes with the Victorian-era stone town at the coast.

Time to Ride: Most riders allow 4-7 days depending on fitness, weather, and how often you stop for side trips.

Best Time to Go: The trail is most popular in the warmer months, when high-country sections are more settled and daylight is longer.

Getting there: The western start is at Aoraki / Mount Cook; the finish is on the Pacific at Oamaru. Many riders arrange a shuttle to the start and return by bus or car after finishing.

Costs: Costs depend heavily on whether you use shuttles, bike hire, and luggage transfers. Accommodation is available in towns and villages along the way, with the remotest section requiring the most planning.

Difficulty: Moderate. The route is described as having both on-road and off-road sections, with the biggest elevation changes on the Lake Ōhau to Omarama section and some remote, unbridged stream crossings near the start.

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail and runs for more than 300 km across the South Island from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Oamaru on the Pacific. From west to east it descends from about 780 m down to sea level, combining dedicated cycle trail with gravel and sealed roads.

Highlights change dramatically as you ride: glacial lake shorelines and tussock landscapes in the Mackenzie Basin, canals and infrastructure of the hydro-electric system around Twizel, then the long push through the Waitaki Valley past major dams and into limestone country.

It is a relatively young long-distance route: funding from the New Zealand Community Trust budget was approved in July 2010 after the trail was shortlisted as one of 13 from 54 nationwide proposals.

• Stage 1: Aoraki / Mount Cook to Braemar Station (32 km) - Starts on a dedicated cycle trail, then continues on a gravel road. This is the most remote section and includes stream crossings without bridges.
• Stage 2: Braemar Station to Twizel (43 km) - Gravel road over hilly terrain along the southern shore of Lake Pukaki, then onto sealed roads around Twizel’s hydro-electric system and across the tussocky Pukaki Flats.
• Stage 3: Twizel to Lake Ōhau (38 km) - The only section with a slight gain in elevation, partly following hydro canals connecting the glacial lakes, then a trail around the southern shore of Lake Ōhau.
• Stage 4: Lake Ōhau to Omarama (40 km) - Through an old beech forest with the biggest elevation changes, climbing about 400 m along the Ōhau Range to the trail’s highest point (over 900 m) before a long descent.
• Stage 5: Omarama to Otematata via Lake Benmore (24 km + 6 km detour) - A dedicated cycle trail near SH83 over the Omarama Saddle, then along the edge of Lake Benmore to Benmore Dam; a 6 km detour takes you to Otematata.
• Stage 6: Otematata to Kurow (44 km) - Sealed public roads through the Waitaki Valley hydro scheme, taking in Benmore Dam (the largest dam in the scheme), plus Aviemore Dam and Waitaki Dam.
• Stage 7: Kurow to Duntroon (23 km) - Off-road riding through limestone country known for Maori rock drawings, dinosaur fossils, and vineyards of the Waitaki Valley wine region.
• Stage 8: Duntroon to Oamaru (55 km) - Mix of back roads and dedicated trail past Elephant Rocks, then from Weston follows an old railway line into Oamaru via the Oamaru Gardens, finishing at Friendly Bay by the Victorian Historic Precinct.

The most settled riding is generally in the warmer months, when the high-country start near Aoraki / Mount Cook is less likely to be affected by cold, wind, or sudden weather changes.

Expect the busiest period during peak holiday season, and plan conservatively for the opening section to Braemar Station, which is remote and includes stream crossings without bridges.

The route is typically ridden west to east, starting at Aoraki / Mount Cook and finishing at the coast in Oamaru. The start is remote, so many riders arrange a shuttle or private transfer to reach the trailhead with a bike.

From Oamaru, onward travel is straightforward by road, and it is common to organise return transport (or a one-way vehicle drop) depending on your itinerary and whether you are travelling with your own bike.

Check local land managers or the trail’s official information for any permit or access requirements. The route has a mix of on-road and off-road surfaces, including dedicated cycle trail, gravel road, and sealed public roads, so tyre choice and bike setup matter.

Bike hire and e-bikes are commonly used on long New Zealand trails, and some riders use shuttle and luggage transfer services to simplify logistics between places like Twizel, Omarama, and Oamaru. Signage is generally designed for point-to-point riding west to east, but you can ride in either direction.

Accommodation is easiest in the larger service towns and villages on the corridor, especially Twizel, Omarama, and Oamaru, where you can usually find multiple options ranging from motels and holiday parks to bike-friendly lodgings.

The first stretch from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Braemar Station is the most remote, so you will want to lock in your plan early for that end of the route. In busier months, booking ahead is sensible in smaller stops such as Lake Ōhau and Duntroon.