Great Taste Trail

A 175km cycling route through vineyards, hop gardens, orchards, and along the coast of Tasman Bay. The trail links Nelson, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, and Mapua, and can be ridden in sections over a day or two, or in full over three to four days. The terrain is mostly gentle, suitable for families and casual cyclists.

The best sections for scenery are the Motueka River section through the valley, and the coastal stretch between Mapua and Nelson. The trail passes through several small towns with good cafes and wineries, and a scattering of craft breweries that make good use of the locally grown hops. Bikes can be hired in Motueka.

things to do cycling sight
A story
The Motueka Valley produces around 80 percent of New Zealand's hops, and the farms along this trail have been supplying the country's breweries for well over a century. The hop industry shaped the whole region's seasonal economy: pickers used to come from Nelson and further afield each harvest, staying in the farm cottages that still line the valley.

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