3 Day Mountain Bike Trip

Things To Know

• Trail Description

  Day 1 – Ship Cove to Punga Cove, Endeavour Inlet

  Depart on the 8am water taxi service to Ship Cove. Visit the memorial to Captain Cook and learn about the historical significance of this place to local Maori before beginning your ride.

  Some riders opt to start at nearby Resolution Bay. This means you don’t need to navigate the very steep climb out of Ship Cove. A $5 fee is payable to the private landowner.

  If beginning at Ship Cove, you may find yourself pushing your bike through some sections of this climb through virgin forest to the Ship Cove platform but the reward is a view towards Motuara Island with Kapiti Island, off the coast of the North Island, visible on a clear day.

  Descent into Resolution Bay with some rocky sections to navigate and then begin a fairly long but moderate climb to Tawa Saddle before the downhill towards Endeavour Inlet.  Stop for a cool drink at Furneaux Lodge before continuing your ride around the head of Endeavour Inlet over a mainly flat wide section of track to Camp Bay. Just a few minutes onwards is Punga Cove, your accommodation for this evening.

  Day 2 - Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay

  Ascend to the main Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be riding mostly along the exposed ridgeline with stunning views over both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Bay of Many Coves is a welcome stop to enjoy the vistas.

  The track is wide but is steep in places so watch for drop offs and rocky areas. There is a lot of undulation with many short steep hill climbs to challenge you. Take a break at Black Rock Shelter before the final hills and then descend to Torea Saddle and down the road to Portage Bay, your destination for today.

  Day 3 – Torea Saddle/Portage Bay to Anakiwa

  From Portage Bay, ride up a short road section to join the main Queen Charlotte Track. A tough climb awaits and you will need to push your bike but the reward is stunning views into the Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sound. An easier option is the ride the Kenepuru Road from Portage and re-join the track above Mistletoe Bay.

  From Te Mahia Saddle the track is easier, undulating at first with a long, gradual and exhilarating descent to Anakiwa. The bush is stunning with glimpses into the glistening waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

  Time to rest at Anakiwa where you can purchase an ice cream or cold drink from The Green Caravan (summer time only) and reflect on a fantastic few days while you await your water taxi pick up at 4:00pm. Return time to Picton is 4.30pm.

• Track

  Day	Distance	Time
  1	28.5km	6 hours
  2	24.5km	4 hours
  3	20.5km	4 hours

   

• Grade Indicator Keys

  0% Novice (Grade 2) - Suitable for a confident rider on roads or trails. Easier gradients, trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose rocks.

  62% Intermediate (Grade 3) - Suitable for most experience cyclists with a good level of fitness. Trail surfaces are mainly firm but may include muddy or loose sections, and obstacles such as rocks or tree roots.

  28% Advanced (Grade 4) - Suitable for fit, more experienced cyclists with good off-road and/or on-road skills. The trail surface includes firm and loose sections, with lots of rocks and tree roots.

  10% Expert (Grade 5) - Suitable for experienced cyclists with excellent off-road skills and a high level of fitness. Challenging with long, steep climbs, precipitous descents and potentially dangerous drop-offs, as well as rocks, roots, and ruts to navigate.