Mountain Bike Rental

Wilderness Guides offer 4 adult sizes of mountain bikes for hire - we have a range of both GT and Kona mountain bikes with front suspension, hard tail, disc brakes and are maintained daily. A helmet, repair kit and pump is also provided as part of your hire.

If you need a little extra boost, we currently offer full-suspension Cannondale E-Bikes featuring 504Wh batteries, 10 Speed Shimano cogs, and dropper seat, and hydraulic disc brakes.

In New Zealand bike brakes operate Left:Rear - Right:Front as standard, and we recommend using both brakes when controlling the bikes.

We do not offer SPD pedals or shoes, but if you bring your own these can be fitted to the bikes.

Bike size suggestion based on rider height:
Under 168cm / 5’6” : Small (15" frame on 27.5" Wheels)
Between 168-178cm / 5’6”-5’10” : Medium (17" frame on 29" wheels)
Between 178cm-185cm / 5’10”-6’1” : Large (19" frame on 29" wheels)
Over 185cm / 6’1” : XL (21" frame on 29" wheels).

Picton has a number of great tracks locally if you want to explore the town, or find some views across the sound. 
The Link Pathway provides a great step up for those who want to explore further around the edge of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

We can also arrange water taxis for you and our bikes to take you out to the Queen Charlotte Track to experience one of the Great Rides of New Zealand, with multi day trips available if camping or staying at one of the luxury Lodge accommodations.

Parts of the track are suitable for less experienced bikers while others are recommended for those with a reasonable amount of technical experience. Whichever part of the track you tackle, rest assured a fantastic biking adventure awaits!

Contact us for more information on the best way to experience the track by mountain bike and we can help plan your visit, including accommodation bookings and water transport to and from the Queen Charlotte Track. 

Whichever option you choose, a great adventure is waiting for you!

There are some great trails around Picton for mountain biking including The Link Pathway and further afield, the Queen Charlotte Track. 

Some local tracks are suitable for less experienced bikers while others are recommended for those with a reasonable amount of technical experience. Whichever track you tackle, rest assured a fantastic biking adventure awaits! Here at Wilderness Guides, we can help plan a bike experience for you that fits your ability and timeframe. We always recommend you take your time though - to enjoy the fantastic views along the way.

If you don't have long to spend in town, consider hiring a mountain bike to explore the new Link Pathway. This purpose-built trail, for walkers and bikers, offers stunning views to rival it's more well-known neighbour, the Queen Charlotte Track. It's great for a half-day or day ride that you can access directly from Picton.

Please be aware the Queen Charlotte Track is a scenic but physically demanding and technical track for mountain bikes, recommended for experienced single-track riders. There are no sections rated for novice or beginner riders (grade 1-2).
You will encounter loose rock, tree roots and branch litter, along with rutty climbs and descents along the track. All but the most experienced riders will end up pushing at points. After heavy rain the clay-based trail is very slippy with reduced traction and mud build up.

As a Great Ride, the Queen Charlotte Track falls under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Cycle Trail/Nga Haerenga and NZCT is clear in its policy around e-bike use on the Great Rides. The NZCT has recently updated it's E-Bike policy to allow these on higher grades than previously advised: 

E-mountain bikes are suitable provided they are ridden appropriately, have sufficient battery capacity, and the rider is capable of completing the trail in the event of a battery/power failure.

Queen Charlotte Track is graded as an ‘easier tramping track’ for walkers and 62% intermediate/grade 3, 28% advanced/grade 4 and 10% expert/grade 5 for mountain biking.

This is a similar difficulty rating to the Coppermine Trail or the St James Cycle Trail.
 
NZCT Mountain Bike Trail Grades are as follows: 
 
Intermediate/Grade 3: Suitable for regular experienced cyclists with a good level of fitness and over 12 years old; children should be accompanied by an adult.
Off-road trails can be narrow and may include hills, steep drop-offs and small river crossings. Trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose sections, and obstacles such as rocks or tree roots.
 
Advanced/Grade 4: Suitable for fit, experienced cyclists with good off-road and/or on-road skills, a high level of fitness and over 12 years of age; children should be accompanied by an adult.
Off-road trails are narrow with steep climbs and unavoidable obstacles. The trail surface includes firm and loose sections, with lots of rocks and tree roots. There is likely to be mud and poor traction in places, and some walking required.

Expert/Grade 5: Suitable for fit, experienced cyclists with excellent off-road skills and a high level of fitness. Not suitable for children.
Off-road trails are likely to be challenging with long, steep climbs, precipitous descents and dangerous drop-offs as well as rocks, roots, ruts and potentially hazardous river crossings.

Grade 5 Sections of the QCT are from Kenepuru Saddle to Bay of Many Coves Shelter, the climb out of Torea Saddle, and the descent into Te Mahia Saddle.

Contact us for more information to plan the best e-bike experience for you!