Bike the Track
Mountain Bike Track Grades
Intermediate/Grade 3: Steep slopes and / or avoidable obstacles possibly on narrow track and / or with poor traction. There may be exposure at the track’s outside edge.
Advanced/Grade 4: A mixture of long, steep climbs, narrow track, poor traction and obstacles that are difficult to avoid or jump over. Generally exposed at the track’s outside edge. Most riders will find some sections easier to walk.
Expert/Grade 5: Technically challenging. Giant climbs.
NOTE: Ship Cove to Camp Bay Biking Section: This section of the track is now open to mountain biking all year round. Biking this section of the track in the summer, bikers are required to take the early water taxi to Ship Cove to get ahead of the walkers.
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Bike the Track
| Track Section | Distance | Bike times |
|---|---|---|
| Meretoto/Ship Cove to Camp Bay | 28.5 kms | 5 hrs |
| Camp Bay to Torea Saddle | 24.5 kms | 4 hrs |
| Torea Saddle to Anakiwa | 20.5 kms | 4 hrs |
| – times are approximate only | ||
The Queen Charlotte Track is known as walk, the track is now also regarded as one of New Zealand’s best single track mountain bike rides. Noted as a Great Ride on the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail , it is the longest piece of continuous single track in the country.
Note: The first section from Meretoto/Ship Cove to Camp Bay is now open all year to bikes however you will need to get the early boat to avoid walkers.
The Queen Charlotte track is best ridden over 2–3 days, in three main sections. Any of the three sections can be ridden separately or one after the other, with the option of staying overnight on the track.with accommodation options along the way including camp sites and lodges. You can arrange to have your overnight bags transferred if you would like to cycle with less luggage.
Bikers require a private land access pass from Camp Bay north to Anakiwa. This can be purchased from selected operators or directly from the Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Co-operative.
Meretoto/Ship Cove - Camp Bay
28km, Grade 3/intermediate to Grade 4/advanced, 4–6 hours
Starting with a gentle climb out of the cove, due to a newer section of track completed in September 2019.
Camp Bay - Torea Saddle
24.5km, Grade 3/intermediate to Grade 5/expert downhill, 4–5 hours
While there is plenty on grade 304 on this section, some gradients on the Keneperu Saddle to Bay of Many Coves campsite section make it more xpert/ Grade 5.
QCTLC pass required.
Torea Saddle—Anakiwa
20.5km, Grade 3/intermediate to Grade 5/expert, 4–5 hours
This section is mainly Grade 3, but the steeper climb up from Torea Saddle is considered Expert/ Grade 5.
QCTLC pass required.
There are places along the track for repairing bikes so please make sure you have adequate tools and equipment and are able to complete your own basic repairs.
For more information visit the Great Rides Website
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