Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Nelson, New Zealand
- 4 to 7 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Experience the convenience of a guided tour and the freedom of independent travel on this self-guided cycle adventure. Receive all biking equipment, including a light, pannier bags, and a trail map, and be transported by vehicle to the start of the trail. Visit highlights of your own choice between Nelson and Mapua, along a coastal route. Receive a discount voucher for a restaurant en route, and a ferry ticket.
- All gear is provided so you don't need to provide your own
- Enjoy the freedom of bike exploration on a self-guided tour
- Cycle at your own pace and stop wherever you want
- Vehicle transfers make it easy to get to and from this cycle route
What's Included
- Quality comfort trail bike hire with a Qualmark Gold activity operator
- Additional equipment: bike light, helmet, repair kit, pannier bags & odometer
- Mapua Ferry crossing
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Food (own cost)
- Airport pick-up (additional costs apply)
- Hotel pickup (additional costs apply)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 16 Paru Paru Road, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
NB: Our shuttle (included in price) will deliver you back to our Nelson City depot. Free parking is available at our depot.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Kiwi Journeys
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
McCashin's Brewery
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Pic's Peanut Butter World
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Seifried Estate Cellar Door
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
The Grape Escape Cafe & Catering
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Eddyline Pizzeria & Brewpub
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Stuart_K
From start to finish, simply easy and fun, great bikes, great team at either end of the journey.
Simply just a good way to spend time getting to know the Nelson area, having not been on a bike, let alone an e-bike, there some nerves, but they went within a couple of turns of the crank, if your thinking about, just do it, it’s such good fun.
Thanks Team
Reviews
4.7
based on 67 reviews
Taylor_O, Apr 2026
Would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling to the Nelson area! It was a great way to see the different things Nelson to Mapua has to offer. We saw and experienced so many things that we may not have seen just driving around. All of the stops the staff said to take were so fun and the food and brews were yummy. Highly recommend making the stop at the Honest Lawyer for breakfast and coffee and then later to the Seifried Estate winery. Along the route, there was so much gorgeous farmland and friendly animals to say hi to. Only thing that could be improved is a little TLC on the mechanical bikes.
Jonathan_M, Mar 2026
East booking and helpful staff. We had a great day out starting in Nelson and the logistics on pickup in Mapua were simple and efficient. Do know that the start of the ride from Nelson is through the city and traffic.
Alison_H, Feb 2025
This is a great ride with lots of different views along the way. We enjoyed lunch in Mapua at the end and the company employees are very friendly.
Stuart_K, Jan 2024
From start to finish, simply easy and fun, great bikes, great team at either end of the journey.
Simply just a good way to spend time getting to know the Nelson area, having not been on a bike, let alone an e-bike, there some nerves, but they went within a couple of turns of the crank, if your thinking about, just do it, it’s such good fun.
Thanks Team
Timothy_B, Feb 2020
A group of us rented bikes for the ride to Mapua that is billed as a flat easy ride with stops along the way for wine tasting and breweries. The advertisement also said we would be taken to the beginning of the trail by the tour provider but we were not, we were told to ride to the trail through town which was a bit difficult to navigate with traffic. At this point the bike trail was paved and we did fine. As we went longer the trail became stone and those who did not have ebikes were fighting the wind and the gravel trail. We followed the map to the suggest Grape Escape for lunch which was not on the trail so we had to navigate 2 busy streets and share with logging trucks and other vehicles. The food at the Grape Escape was good but the ride there is not enjoyable. As we continued on the winds got much worse and one person in our group fell and was injured. We were a few miles from Mapua and honestly did not see one winery/brewery. We passed many factories and industrial areas. We called Kiwi Journeys to get picked up due to our friend's injuries. I called the number on the bicycle and no one answered so I was lucky that I had the original email and called that number instead. They did answer and sent someone to get us but they couldn't come on to the trail so our injured friend had to walk 1 mile to get to the nearest road. They were very nice and helped us get back into Nelson. Here is my feedback:
-I'm wondering why this bike trail is called the Great Tasting Trail? Most of the time we were on isolated paths that had no where to stop. The signage was not great but we followed the coast almost exclusively and found signs along the way. Just no where to eat/taste/stop. We did not make it all the way to Mapua but we did get beyond the swing bridge.
-The bike tour company should have a small first aid kit in each bike due to the remote trails. Some antiseptic wipes and a few band aids would have been helpful.
-There did not seem to be a plan in place to pick up someone who is injured on the trail. Our injured person who was not able to get back on the bike had to walk about 1 mile.
-I would suggest using ebikes if you are not a seasoned rider as it is a long, isolated trail. Those of us who had ebikes had a much easier time navigating the very strong, gusty winds on the coast.
My poor review is mostly due to the way the trail is advertised as stops along the way to taste and also about how easy the trail is to navigate. Kiwi Journeys had good equipment and they were very nice. However, the advertising of the experience is just not accurate.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Hi Beth,
Thanks for taking the time to give us your feedback.
I would like to point out that this tour is our most popular tour and the advertising of this experience is 100% accurate. Your group was given a tour briefing which included the following information.
1. Start of the trail - Straight across the road from our depot (50 metres).
2. The ride from Nelson to Mapua is 'flat & easy' (grade one). This grade was certified by NZ Cycle Trails.
3. We brief all customers on our detailed maps and outline that not all experiences are right on the trail and some may need to be cycled to.
You were taken to the start of the trail by your tour provider, as you were on a cruise ship you were taken to our depot by bus, which is the start of the trail.
The trail is very well signposted and this is always open to interpretation. You had a very windy day which undoubtedly affected your tour. Ebikes are always great in windy conditions!
Unfortunately, Irene's choice of riding on the swing bridge resulted in her falling off and splitting her lip. The bridge is situated in a part of the trail where we cant get to in our vans. The only other option was to meet you down the trail by the road. As far as giving out first aid kits for all our tours, this is logistically not feasable.
Many thanks for visiting Nelson and again we are sorry it was a windy day which affected your experince. Trust the rest of your cruise goes well.
Regards, Andrew
Flyer533860, Oct 2019
Awesome scenery and well marked trail. We only visited one winery...the others were off the track a bit and we were a little worried we wouldn’t make the ferry. Wish there had been more wineries closer to the trail. Bikes were comfortable. We had a great time!
Anthony L, Apr 2018
Not great directions, 30 of the trip wasnt too scenic, and some of the path had been washed out. The staff was extremely nice.
Merril T, Jan 2018
A great experience. The bikes were in great condition and prepared and ready for us. I had made a couple of requests helmet size and saddle height and this had all been noted. We were given water and maps and advice. The only thing I would say is that getting out of Nelson and Richmond is not the prettiest or easiest and make sure that you have a clear idea of where you're going. Once you're out of the towns the scenery is well worth the ride. Make sure that you take the forest track on Rabbit Island and try a winery or two.
From $75.37
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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