Walks & Mountain Bike Trails

Kaikoura offers some spectacular walking and mountainbiking opportunities.

Many of the tracks in the region are open to mountainbikers as well as walkers, and the range of tracks is huge and vary in length from 30 mins to 1 day or even 2 or 3 day excursions.

By far the majority of tracks and trails are administered by the New Zealand Government’s Department of Conservation (DOC). There is a DOC office on Ludstone Road in Kaikoura, where track maps may be acquired.

DOC provide a number of huts in the mountains where walkers or mountainbikers can stay for a truly kiwi experience. Get your track maps and hut tickets from DOC in Ludstone Rd.

Two to three day Guided walks are also available through Kaikoura Wilderness Walks staying at the fully catered Shearwater Lodge.

½ day and full day guided walks on DOC Tracks are available through Walks Kaikoura.

Many of the motels and backpackers in Kaikoura hire out bikes, as does Kaikoura Surf on Beach Rd.  R & R Sport  hire serious mountain bikes and racks for mounting up to two bikes on your vehicle. See Dwayne at R & R, Kaikoura’s mountain bike expert, for more  advice on local mountain biking opportunities.

Kaikoura Unlimited offer bike and hike trails, either around Kaikoura Peninsular or up the beautiful Puhi-Puhi Valley, north of Kaikoura. Images of Kaikoura’s natural beauty are available from www.asphoto.co.nz

Please read on for more information regarding the various walking and mountainbiking opportunities and remember…

Mountainbikers, give way to walkers.

Get your track maps from DOC in Ludstone Rd, Kaikoura or i-Site in the Westend

Kaikoura Peninsula

Time: half to full day trip.

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway provides easy access to explore the Kaikoura Peninsula. An impressive collection of information panels located along the walkway enables you to journey into the fascinating history of the people and to learn the geology, the animals and the plants that make the area so special. The walk is classified as a walking track and is suitable for families, providing an easy to moderate half to full day trip.

South Bay–Kaikoura Walk
Time: 45 min (one way)

This walk links South Bay with Kaikoura Township, passing through Nga Niho pa/fort, built around 1820. Continue along Scarborough Street, then down Dempseys track into Torquay Street.

A number of other tracks allow for a round trip of the peninsula.

Fyffe-Palmer Track
Time: 1 hr 45 min (return)

This track starts from the end of the Mt Fyffe Road. The track initially meanders through farmland and then through regenerating forest. There is a picnic area along the track with excellent views.

Hinau Track - Time: 45 min

This track also starts at the Mt Fyffe car park. It is a gentle loop through a remnant forest containing a large number of hinau trees. The track is well formed and suitable for families.

Puhi Puhi Valley - Time: 30 min loop

This picnic area and track accessed from the Puhi Puhi Valley Road. A well marked loop track winds through a remnant pocket of native forest. Lookout points along the way provide views of the Puhi Puhi Stream.

Ohau Waterfall - Time: 10 min return

The track entrance is found from the main highway at Ohau Point 30 km north of Kaikoura. Follow the track up the stream to a spectacular waterfall.

Okiwi Bay

There are a variety of walks available at Okiwi Bay suitable for different abilities.

Lookout                                  10 mins

Pacific Lookout                      1 hr 20 mins

Patutu via Patutu Route       4 ½ hrs

Halfmoon Bay                        6 hrs

Seaward Valley                      6hrs

Omihi Track - Time: 1  hour (return)

The track starts opposite the Omihi camp ground, one kilometre south of Goose Bay. The track climbs through low coastal forest to a lookout point providing great views of the coastline.

Hut tickets need to be purchased from the Department of Conservation.

Mt Fyffe (1602m) - Time: 8 hours return

On a clear day spectacular views can be seen from Mt Fyffe. The car park is 15 km from town via Ludstone, Swamp and Postman’s Roads. From the car park follow the 4WD road up to the summit; a return trip of 8 hours. Those with less time could go as far as the hut (5 hours return) or the lookout point which is only 1 hour from the car park.

Route

Kowhai-Hapuku Circuit - Time: 2-3 days

This is a rugged trip over Kowhai Saddle that requires back country route finding experience as some parts of the route are unmarked.

Mt Fyffe car park to Kowhai hut (3 hrs).

Kowhai hut to Hapuku Hut (4-6 hrs).

Safety

It is important to be well prepared before going on your trip. The weather can change drastically here in Kaikoura. Always seek further information before heading off and make sure you take warm clothes and plenty of food.