Hurunui Heartland Ride
A 204 km road ride between Amberley and Kaikōura, through vineyards, limestone and high country down to the coast. Ride it in a day or take your time.
Distance
204 km
Climbing
2465 m
Grade
Intermediate
Surface
Sealed & gravel
Route
One way
Conditions
The ride
The Hurunui Heartland Ride is an on-road route you can ride in either direction, as an epic one-day trip or a multi-day explore. It opened in April 2019, set up by trails coordinator Mark Inglis.
Heading north from Amberley you’ll pass vineyards, limestone outcrops, big pastoral farms, tussock country, creeks and rivers, climbing into the ranges at Lyford before following the Inland Road down to the rugged Kaikōura coast, with the Seaward Kaikōura Range towering over your left shoulder.
A 36 km detour takes you to Hanmer Springs for hot pools and links to the St James Cycle Trail, Molesworth Muster and Rainbow Trail. Finish in Kaikōura with a lap of the Kaikōura Trail.
The roads are generally quiet, but traffic can turn up at any time. With big climbs and gravel sections, the ride needs reasonable fitness and skill (grade 3, intermediate).
Photos
Gallery
Map & navigation
Route
The ride works in both directions. Open the direction you’re riding in Ride with GPS for turn-by-turn navigation.
Support the trails
Enjoyed the ride?
Volunteers look after our trails, with help from local businesses and contractors. Donations and memberships go towards maintaining our trails and building new ones.