Having spent the night in Motueka there’s a side trip from the Tasman Loop that takes a windy path through some of the most scenic farmland around Golden Bay. Little stalls by the roadside sell jam and fruit, but the big prize is the wide open beaches at Kaiteriteri. The final section descends to the beach with views extending across either side of Golden Bay. An early start for Kaiteriteri allows time for kayaking the Abel Tasman National Park or jumping on a boat. The rugged coastlines of the Abel Tasman and the chance to chase dolphins or watch for sea birds are in contrast to the gentle hills and soft sands elsewhere along the cycling trail. If you do like hills then the Pigeon Valley Loop is your ticket, leaving the coastline at Motueka and heading inland towards the town of Moutere. Another 125 kilometres of riding plus a total climb of over 300 metres awaits cyclists on this route. The steepest section rises sharply after Woodstock before a fast downhill section through Pigeon Valley and onto the flats of Wakefield. It’s only another 20 WILD TRAILS kilometres before rejoining the coastal route past Richmond and the flat trails with sea views all the way into Nelson. City of Nelson The lazy option is to divert along the Neudorf road and cut Nelson is a small city but well back towards the familiar coastline at Mapua. Along the way spread out, so getting on two you get a choice of wineries to break up the ride, but also wheels can save you time expect a few undulations and a bit of traffic from sightseers. when exploring the city Once you get out of the Upper Moutere the gentle trails of (nelsonnz.com). Tripping the coastal route make it an easy ride back to Nelson. down to Founders Park, Mapua can be done as an easy day trip, but the longer the Botanical Garden, the route to Abel Tasman and into the Moutere Valley demands famous Saturday market several days and a little planning. Temptations of wine and (nelsonmarket.co.nz) or out to wilderness will add a little more time to the journey. Tahuna Beach is much easier on the bike and lets you soak up more of the sunshine. Nelson to Mapua The easiest and most travelled section of the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, only 25km and very flat (heartofbiking.org.nz). Renting a pedal from Nelson is easy and costs around NZ$40 for the day. The ferry ride from Rabbit Island to Mapua Port is another $16 (mapuaferry.co.nz).
Kayaking the Abel Tasman National Park. Bare Kiwi
Moutere Valley Fine wines and gorgeous villages make Moutere a beautiful place to tackle a few hills. Some road riding is required to complete the Tasman Loop, a 175km route out of Nelson. Or you can arrange a 4 day self-guided package that rides into the artistic community of Moutere and back again via the coast (gentlecycling.co.nz).