The region is blessed with balmy summers and bright, mild winters, making for great riding at any time of year although riders should always check the forecast and take appropriate clothing for the conditions.

Visitors can hire bikes from numerous cycle hire and tour operators.

Stretch over the Heretaunga Plains and weave between the twin cities of Napier and Hastings, enjoy these great cycling trails.

Stretching from Bay View in the north to Cape Kidnappers in the South, with Napier, Hastings and Havelock North in between, this trail network follows a mix of dedicated cycle paths and quiet country roads. With almost endless route options from easy to ambitious, it’s a great way to reach many Hawke’s Bay attractions while soaking up the scenery.

Most of the trail is wide, smooth and flat, making it grade 1–2 (easiest to easy) and therefore suitable for beginners upwards. A hybrid bike with knobbly tyres will be comfortable enough for most terrain.

Venture deep into Pureora Forest Park on a cycle trail featuring ancient forest, birdlife, graceful suspension bridges and intriguing timber industry relics.

Located in the heart of the North Island, Pureora Forest Park is a mix of virgin, regenerating and exotic forest hosting such unexpected scenes as ancient trees crowding out a timber-miller’s tractor abandoned in the bush. Traversing this deep wilderness is an 87-kilometre trail (part of NZ Cycle Trail) revealing not only awe-inspiring beauty but also stories of how this special place has changed over the ages. While the Timber Trail’s predominantly wide and smooth surface classifies much of it as grade 2 (easy). 

Beginning on the slopes of a live volcano, this cycle trail reveals varied natural and human history on its winding, often remote path to the sea.

The trail’s first sections, in particular, lend themselves well to day-trips. Riders can start in Ohakune, followed by the Ohakune Old Coach Road, a fantastic half-day adventure following an historic route through native forest. A restored 294m viaduct presents an exceptional photo opportunity.

It’s an interesting and occasionally hilly 50km rural trek to the Mangapurua Track, an intermediate, 5–7 hour mission through the wilds of Whanganui National Park. Most of the Mountains To Sea involves grade 2–3 (easy–intermediate) riding on well-graded, purpose-built trails, along with tarmac and gravel roads.

This all-seasons cycle trail explores the forested shores of Lake Taupo, with inspiring views across to the peaks of Tongariro National Park.

The Great Lake Trail dishes up an invigorating mix of inland forest and shoreline track across three distinct sections of trail west of Taupo.

Closest to town is the deservedly popular W2K Track that climbs up and around a bushy headland between Whangamata and Whakaipo Bays. This view-filled trail starts at the peaceful settlement of Kinloch, from where riders can ride it one way or enjoy the satisfying Headland Loop, both taking around half a day. Although it can be broken into sections to suit a range of riding abilities, this trail is a Grade 3 (Intermediate) ride, most suitable for experienced mountain bikers.

Visit Māori cultural sites, hot springs and geothermal wonderlands on this cycle trail between downtown Rotorua and must-see attractions nearby.

Starting at Prince’s Gate near Rotorua Museum, Te Ara Ahi follows the aptly named Sulphur Point Track along the lakeshore and past two major cultural and geothermal parks, Whakarewarewa and Te Puia. The cycleway continues past the world-famous Redwoods Mountain Bike Park, which has trails for every ability, then hugs the highway for around 21km to spectacular Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system.

This grade 2–3 (easy to intermediate) trail follows a mix of concrete cycle paths, gravel and tarmac roads and off-road mountain bike tracks.