West Coast Wilderness Trail
West Coast Wilderness Trail
West Coast Wilderness Trail
5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The West Coast Wilderness Trail is a 132 km Grade 2 easy cycle trail that takes the rider through some of the most stunning and diverse scenery the West Coast of the South Island has to offer. The Trail is part of the Great Rides Nga Haerenga network and can be ridden in entirety over 4 days or there are many options available for one day rides and shorter multi day rides.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
34 within 5 kms
Attractions
17 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
241 reviews
Excellent
197
Very good
33
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
2
KristinNewZealand
Whangamata, New Zealand11 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Fantastic trip. We were really well supported by the friendly Hokitika staff who provided local background information, shipped our gear between stops and arranged really good accommodation. We were supplied with KTM ebikes and they were perfect for the trail, allowing a couple of 70+ year olds to do the trail with ease and there were a couple of good climbs. We had 1 day only of wet weather but go prepared to soak it up. Didn't deter us at all and we maid new friends and had a good time.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyM
6 contributions
Jan 2023
We biked the trail on acoustic bikes (not electric) over 4 days and will savour the experience forever and recommend it to our whanau. Everyone should do it.
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave P
13 contributions
Jan 2023
All of it but especially the water races, weirs, the native bush, Cowboys Paradise (see my separate review) and Hans Bay at Lake Kaniere.
We rode from Paroa to Ross with nights at Paroa, Cowboys Paradise and Hokitika. We used our own bikes leaving our car at the Paroa Hotel (where we stayed at the start of the ride). We arranged for a rental car from RAD in Greymouth to drop a rental car for us at out hotel in Hokitika at the end of our 2nds day riding. We then drove back to Paroa (about 35 mins) to get our car and bring it back to Hokitika where we stayed that night. The next day we positioned our car down to Ross and returned in the rental car to Hokitika to start our 3rd day's ride. RAD collected the car from Hokitika, all within a 24hr 1-day rental for $139 plus petrol all up. Very reasonable, much cheaper and more flexible than using a trail transport company. RAD. Pauline at RAD was very helpful in sorting out this arrangement for us - highly recommended.
We rode from Paroa to Ross with nights at Paroa, Cowboys Paradise and Hokitika. We used our own bikes leaving our car at the Paroa Hotel (where we stayed at the start of the ride). We arranged for a rental car from RAD in Greymouth to drop a rental car for us at out hotel in Hokitika at the end of our 2nds day riding. We then drove back to Paroa (about 35 mins) to get our car and bring it back to Hokitika where we stayed that night. The next day we positioned our car down to Ross and returned in the rental car to Hokitika to start our 3rd day's ride. RAD collected the car from Hokitika, all within a 24hr 1-day rental for $139 plus petrol all up. Very reasonable, much cheaper and more flexible than using a trail transport company. RAD. Pauline at RAD was very helpful in sorting out this arrangement for us - highly recommended.
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kestonr2018
Wellington, New Zealand261 contributions
Oct 2022
We did the day from Milltown to Kumara, with a length of about 38kms. People had told us this was the best day to do if we had limited time. We understand that the portion from Hokitika to Kaniere is also good as it goes along the old water race, but we really enjoyed our ride. The trail maps are very good and give a good indication of the altitude of every part of the track. From Milltown, the first part of the track is a switchback up to just before the old Cowbays' Paradise. Then the track flattens out to run up toward the Kawhaka Saddle. There is a small number of further uphills before you hit the pass. The track after the pass is very good. and mostly downhill, and you really feel as if you are out in the wilderness. It also runs past the waterworks which nowadays feed the local hydro scheme, but were originally built to provide water to the sluicers seeking gold in Kumara. As the descendant of gold miners and someone who had a gggg uncle who was responsibile for building some of the races, I found this very interesting. You emerge onto the Old Christchurch Road, before turning off to the west to head for the Kapitea Reservoir. The trail runs along old coaching roads through this section, which were used originally to link Kumara with the Christchurch to Hokitika coaches, also very interesting, if any of your forebears, like mine, were coach drivers. The track emerges onto a boardwalk along the Kapitea Creek, which is very scenic. We were a bit surprised that the board walk was not longer than it was, as after crossing the reservoir the track is back on old coach and other roads. It ends up running along the dam itself, before heading up a short hill and onto Larrikins Road. The final portion of the track is off road, down the hill back towards Kumara, and runs through the bush regenerating on top of the old gold workings , so keep to the track! We had two eleven year olds and a thirteen year old with us. There were some slower parts with our twins, but all three coped well with the up hills and the downhills. West Coast Cycles were also great, providing us with a transfer to the beginning of the trail and then transporting our bags and car to Kumara.
Written 26 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tom p
Rotorua, New Zealand15 contributions
Dec 2022
This was a 4 day ride from Ross to Greymouth with stops in Hokitika and Kumara. Lovely secondary and occasional primary forests with a number of tourist attractions and historical gold mining sites along the way. Best parts were the high elevation forests around Milltown. Well signposted on mostly graded gravel paths and quiet sealed roads, with only a few short stretches along highways. Well worth the ride!
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne C
4 contributions
Nov 2022
Fabulous cycling week even though it was wet and wild. Extremely grateful to Clair and her team for taking amazing care of us on the trail, and transporting us daily. Highly recommend the trail, we experienced such incredible scenery, waterfalls and swollen waterways after a great deluge of heavy rain, amazing week, everyday was different
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger B
Christchurch, New Zealand19 contributions
Oct 2022
If you haven't already biked from Ross to Greymouth this is a must do. The scenery is incredible and we recommend Kiwi Journeys to plan your experience, they went the extra mile for us when one of our personal bikes broke down.
Written 31 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra
18 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This ride is very achievable and the scenery is fantastic and varied. I would recommend booking through Kiwi Journeys & staying at Scenic Waterways.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat F
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Apr 2022
We used Scott at Coll Sportsworld for bike hire. Very helpful and knowledgeable on the area. He made sure our bags were transported between venues. We booked our own accommodation enroute.
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kurt S
2 contributions
Apr 2022
Mum, Dad, 12yr and 10 yr old. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. The leg of Miltown - Kumara was a bit of a push for my 10yr daughter but achievable with a little encouragement. The sections between Camerons - Treetop I would rate as excellent for challenge and interest. The 10km at each end of the trail are good easy riding tracks but fairly open and straight, so not as fun as the rest. The weather in late April was a mix of 2 fantastic summer days and 2 wet days with it never getting cold. We travelled with another family using 2 cars and based ourselves in Hokitika.
Written 21 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey P
Branxton10 contributions
Hey Lily
We are thinking about riding from Hokitika to Ross, stopping for a break then returning to Hokitika the same day, reading everyone's comments sounds doable, just wondering what you thought
Regards
Tracey
europanz
Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Hi,, what do you mean by" there are easier ways"? Im interested in doing the track. I can stay in greymouth, I can borrow a bike from someone there. ..I`m a bit nervous about getting a flatty... do you think I can do the whole trip from Greymouth to Hokitika in one day? I am fairly fit.. I bike 17 kms a day.. I`m 63.
Jandalz3
Barcelona259 contributions
We did greymouth to Cowboys paradise in one day, about 65km and that was great but enough. That's the sort of distance we normally ride on our road bikes. It could be done in a day if you left really early (6am) and rode all day and it was a Lin summer day but at this time of the year you'd be probably in the dark by the end.
I think you would be needing to ride longer distances (up to 60-75km) a couple of times per week to build up stamina and endurance if your normal distance is 17km.
It's not impossible to do all in one day if you are super fit but if you can take 2 days I would. Although I just read yesterday there's been some troubles with cowboy paradise and there council so you might want to check that out if you haven't gone yet
Tcscmk
Brisbane, Australia66 contributions
Hi
We are a family of 8
2 grandparents
2 parents and 4 high school kids
hoping to west coast wilderness trail on bike in January 2016
Will it be too hot?
It becomes expensive to do a set tour when multiplied by 8. Does anyone have suggestions as to which would be the cheapest way to do the trail ie hire bikes/ organise own accommodation etc I do like to organise trips so am happy to put the time and effort in if it is possible
Thanks a lot Cath
misadventerous
Nelson, New Zealand13 contributions
Hi Cath
In January the weather will be at it's hottest at a likely maximum of 27degrees. Being next to the sea you will get a breeze there and shade in the bush, so nothing to worry about.
The West Coast Wilderness Trail website is the best website to use to plan your trip it has the route, accommodation providers and provides options for bike hire. (TripAdvisor doesn't allow website links so please google this).
In the Hokitika and Greymouth i-SITE buildings there is a book available to purchase, this book is jam packed with details and is a great souvenir to reflect back on the trip once you and your family have completed the trail.
I hope this information helps and lowers the cost for you.
guydeitch
Tel Aviv, Israel
Hi!
A couple of questions regarding the trail:
1. I couldn't find any info whether the trail is free (including the bike rental). If not, what are the costs?
2. As a backpacker, is there a way to transport my backpack so that I don't have to ride with it on my back?
Thanks in advance!
Betty S
Rotorua, New Zealand83 contributions
The others have answered that the trail is free to cycle on, this is correct.
You need to either use a shuttle service or do what we did, hire a car and do sections of the trail there and back daily. We hired a car from West Coast rentals, up was cheap and the station wagon took our bikes just fine.
As the services are really new it's a bit hit and miss but we would totally recommend doing it, the scenery is just beautiful and it is not too difficult.
Brian Ó
Dublin, Ireland23 contributions
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the very informative post - I'm planning a trip along the west coast so I need as much info as I can get!
I do have one question though - how long did it take you to cycle from Cowboy Paradise to Hokitika? There is a bus leaving Hokitika at 2pm and I'm not sure whether I'll make it in time. I don't mind leaving Cowboy's Paradise first thing if need be.
Thanks for any help!
Brian-
davo521
Christchurch, New Zealand1 contribution
Probably too late for you Brian but for anyone else reading this I would allow at least 3 hours for this leg. Especially since you may not be overly frisky after the first two days riding. Cheers Dave
Waimate1
Waimate, New Zealand124 contributions
Could you get trip advisor to rename west coast rail trail to its correct name of westcoast wilderness trail so that it matches the website etc.
Tourism_West_Coast
Greymouth, New Zealand
Hi Waimate 1.
All the web site details are now correct. :-)
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingWEST COAST WILDERNESS TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about West Coast Wilderness Trail
- West Coast Wilderness Trail is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near West Coast Wilderness Trail:
- (0.16 km) The Duke Hostel
- (0.19 km) Noah's Ark Backpackers
- (0.09 km) Greymouth Guest House
- (0.21 km) South of the Barber
- (0.23 km) Union Hotel
- Restaurants near West Coast Wilderness Trail:
- (0.02 km) Priya Indian Restaurant
- (0.16 km) Blanchfield Bakery
- (0.14 km) The Gap Cafe
- (0.20 km) Hong Kong Restaurant
- (0.06 km) KFC