Five Rivers, Around the Mountains Cycle Trail © Tourism NZ
MOSSBURN to INVERCARGILL
SOUTHLAND Traverse
2 days
104km Southland Traverse, Mossburn BELOW: Cycling through Queens Park, Invercargill © Southland Tourism
HEARTLAND RIDE • SOUTHLAND TRAVERSE
TRAIL INFO 2 Days 104km
TRAIL GRADE:
Take the scenic route all the way to Invercargill by negotiating the pleasant, reasonably quiet highways of the Southland Traverse. Good looking vistas come thick and fast on this two-day ride. . BEST FOR: Getting from Mossburn to Invercargill without using the busier highway.
C
onnecting Mossburn (or Lumsden) to Invercargill over 104km and two days, this Grade 4 bike ride slices through the South Island’s lower region, one that’s freckled with cyclists and sightseers soaking up the beauty. This Heartland Ride is also part of the 3000km Tour Aotearoa trail which travels all the way from Cape Rēinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island. You may meet a fair few weatherworn cyclists along this route who have just done over 2000km. Cyclists should also be aware that the track often traces or criss-crosses parts of the Southern Scenic Route, a popular tourist highway that’s used by buses and couch tour companies. It is still a fantastic alternative to busier highways and primarily uses scenic back roads. In total, the track utilises 95% sealed road and 5% gravel road or gravel path. In between drinking up the pastoral scenery and bucolic views, stop in charming small towns such as Winton and Wallacetown for provisions and a rest.
20% GRADE 2 70% GRADE 3 10% GRADE 4 MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Available throughout the route. FOOD, ACCOMMODATION & TOILETS: Available at either of the starting points, Mossburn/ Lumsden, and then Camp Taringatura (40km), Winton (67km), Wallacetown (90km), and Invercargill (104km). NEED TO KNOW: The route is 95% sealed road, and 5% gravel road or gravel path. This route is part of the 3000km Cape Rēinga to Bluff route called Tour Aotearoa. You are likely to meet weather-beaten tour riders on their final day of riding the length of the country. In winter the weather can be bitterly cold in Southland, so expect the unexpected. The route is signposted with Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails’ signs. TYPE OF BIKE: A touring bike, mountain bike or e-bike is suitable for the terrain. GRADE 2 (EASY) GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) GRADE 4 (ADVANCED)
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