When it comes to fun in the winter sun, it’s hard to beat getting out on your bike in the fresh, crisp air.

The great news is that most of our 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides are rideable throughout the colder months, with the bonus of snowy scenery, skiing, fewer people and well-earned comfort food.

So instead of parking up on the couch, get outdoors on those cooler days and nourish your soul with these top trails for winter riding.

_{Riders come across a suspension bridge on the West Coast Wilderness Trail}

West Coast Wilderness Trail Great Ride

We’re not saying that the West Coast isn't wet, but the rain falls mostly at night – or at least that’s what the locals say!

The West Coast has surprisingly mild temperatures and some brilliant sunny days in winter, making it a great time to ride the West Coast Wilderness Trail.

The majestic Southern Alps backdrop is made even more magnificent with its blanket of snow, but you won’t have to jostle for position with peak-season road trippers.

When planning your trip, make sure you consider the super-scenic, low-carbon way and hop on the world-famous TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth. 

Find out more

_{Riders on the boardwalk by Kapitea Reservoir south of Kumara. Photo: Jason Blair}

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_{Cyclists enjoy a bluebird day. Photo: Mountains to Sea}

Ohakune Old Coach Road (Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono Cycle Trail Great Ride)

To maximise your winter holiday around the volcanic plateau, bring your bikes or hire some for a ride when the weather is dodgy up the mountain or you just fancy a change of scenery.

The must-do is the family-friendly Ohakune Old Coach Road section of the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono. It's an awesome day-ride with grand views, enchanting forest and rich history.

You can also discover the beauty of the Te Ara Mangawhero Trail on what will be a new 29.4km section of the Mountains to Sea. The first section is open, a 12.95 km loop track linking to Ohakune Old Coach Road.

Also check out the Marton Sash and Door trail that follows a fascinating old bush tramway. 

Find out more

_{Ohakune Old Coach Road. Photo: Plateau Productions}

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_{It's a peaceful meander alongside the river. Photo: Cameron Mackenzie}

Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Trail Great Rides

Central Otago goes into sensory overload in winter, both outdoors with its snow-dusted landscapes and indoors warmed by roaring fires, gooey fruit puddings and pinot noir.

Tracing the riverside of the mighty Clutha River/Mata-au, the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails are a chance to get your fill.

These twin trails serve up fabulous scenery and fascinating stories of the gold rush days. They’re also a chance to visit Alexandra, Roxburgh, Lawrence and other interesting settlements in the pretty Teviot Valley.

Find out more about the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold

_{Enjoy Central Otago's stunning landscapes. Photo: Cameron Mackenzie}

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_{Riders enjoy Tasman's Great Taste Trail. Photo: Virginia Woolf Photography}

Tasman's Great Taste Trail Great Ride

There’s never a bad time to visit the Nelson region thanks to chart-topping annual sunshine hours and a year-round holiday vibe.

Winter is a great time for wildlife-watching, which is why blending the Great Taste Trail with a trip into Abel Tasman National Park is a must.

Cooler temperatures make for crystal-clear conditions in which to see dolphins, seals and the park’s amazing birdlife. And there's far less chance of getting photo-bombed by the masses. 

Find out more

_{Kaiteriteri on the edge of Abel Tasman National Park is a must-do.}

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_{The suspension bridge on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Photo: Ruth Lawton Photography}

Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail Great Ride

It's not called the "winterless north" for nothing. Maybe leave the swimwear at home, but bring your bike pants and a healthy appetite for history, art and Māori culture.

This relatively cruisy trail from the beautiful Bay of Islands to the Hokianga Harbour is an amazing hook for a winter break in New Zealand's sub-tropical backyard – complete with coastal, country and small-town sights and the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Find out more

_{Waitangi Treaty Grounds Meeting House. Photo: David Kirkland}

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_{Hawke's Bay Trails Atea a Rangi Star Compass. Photo: Takaro Trails}

Hawke’s Bay Trails Great Ride

Another region that’s big on blue skies in winter is Hawke’s Bay.

Boasting one of the country’s best networks of easygoing, year-round cycle trails, Hawke's Bay Trails boasts more than 200km of coastal, cross-country and riverside pathways.

They link nicely with must-see sights such as bird-filled wetlands, wineries, Napier’s beautiful art deco buildings and the outpost of Puketapu where you can tuck into a piping hot pub lunch.

Find out more

_{Napier's art deco buildings. Photo: Hawke's Bay Tourism}

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_{Scenery on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Photo: Tourism Central Otago}

Otago Central Rail Trail Great Ride

You may need to double-up on the merino layers, but the Otago Central Rail Trail mid-winter is a seriously sublime experience thanks to the crystal-clear air that makes the snow-dusted "central" scenery even more surreal.

Delightful dumps of snow won't stop you riding, but it also gives you a chance to try indoor and outdoor curling in Naseby. You're likely to have the trail almost all to yourself and cosy evenings in charming local establishments are a well-earned bonus.

Find out more

_{Curling in Naseby. Photo: Tourism Central Otago}

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_{Great Lake Trails' Headland Loop. Photo: Bike Taupō}

Great Lake Trails Great Ride

This trail’s famously free-draining volcanic soils make for superior four-seasons mountain biking, all the more marvellous thanks to the strange landforms, waterfalls and forest around Lake Taupō’s northwestern edge.

Frequent lookouts provide epic views across to the snow-capped volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, where Mt Ruapehu’s skifields await just over an hour’s drive away.

Whether you bike or ski, or both, warm your cockles back up with hot pools and hospitality in Taupō.

Find out more

_{Take a soak at Wairakei Terraces and thermal health spa. Photo: Love Taupō}

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_{The Shotover Gorge Trail is picturesque in any season. Photo: Geoff Marks}

Queenstown Trail Great Ride

Queenstown may go snowsports mad in winter, but that’s not the only way to enjoy the striking scenery and buzzy après-ski scene.

The Queenstown Trail dishes up plenty of alternatives via a variety of bike rides around the Wakatipu Basin. The Arrow Bridges from Arrowtown to the AJ Hackett bungy bridge, the Gibbston Valley winery ride or the newer spectacular Shotover Gorge Trail are must-dos.

Find out more

_{The Kawarau "bungy" bridge. Photo: QueenstownNZ}

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_{Motu Trail Dunes Trail. Photo: Neil Robert Hutton Photography}

Dunes Trail (Motu Trails Great Ride)

The super-scenic entry-level option on the Motu Trails is the half-day Dunes Trail. This gentle 20km return ride starts at the impressive Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku suspension bridge and makes a lovely outing whatever the season.

There are epic ocean views as the trail undulates gently along the dunes, with plenty of opportunity to detour down to the beach to get some sand between your toes.

Find out more

_{Motu Trails Dunes Trail. Photo: Neil Robert Hutton Photography}

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_{The boardwalk on Lake Dunstan Trail. Photo: Tourism Central Otago}

Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride

Wrap up warm, avoid the crowds and ride the Lake Dunstan Trail in winter.

Arguably the best day out on two wheels, it's a trail that links the heritage towns of Cromwell and Clyde. The trail offers a close survey of landforms shaped not only by nature but also the gold miners and dam-builders who toiled there over the last two centuries.

Following in their footsteps, world-class track builders have constructed clip-on boardwalks, an 86m suspension bridge and impressive rock walls. 

Find out more

_{Wintery scenes on the Lake Dunstan Trail. Photo: Lee Slater}

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To plan your next adventure check out all of our 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand