A very popular, energetic and often physically challenging way to access the beauty of the Sounds is by mountain bike.
Biking around the Lodge is a very popular way for our guests to explore the local area. Our mountain bikes and helmets are excellent quality and are available for complimentary use by our accommodation guests. You can get some exercise while exploring the neighbouring bays and sites around the Kenepuru Sound. We have both adult male and ladies bikes available.
Mountain Biking the Queen Charlotte Track – New Zealand’s popular Marlborough Sounds walk is open to mountain bikes from March until November. The 71km track is a two to three day ride for intermediate to experienced mountain bikers, and offers a stunning coastal landscape, diverse native bush and wildlife.
The Queen Charlotte Track is widely rated as the best single track in New Zealand. With its wide, benched surface, spectacular views, native bush and, in parts, technical difficulty, the track offers bikers an exhilarating challenge. And, of course, you don’t have to carry a heavy pack as while you ride from place to place, one of the many water taxi companies will transport this for you to your accommodation.
Its unique dual-use enables both walkers and mountain bikers to co-exist – albeit by relying on courtesy from both parties. The surface of the track is mostly clay which makes for a hard and fast ride over the dry summer months but it can be tricky after rain and biking is not recommended at such times for your comfort and to protect the track from damage.
Parts of the track are suitable for less experienced bikers while others are recommended for those with a reasonable amount of technical experience. Whichever part of the track you tackle, rest assured a fantastic biking adventure awaits!
Visitors to the Queen Charlotte Track are asked to pay a small fee for crossing the private land sections of the track. This acknowledges the long-standing and ongoing commitment of these landowners. Private land access passes can be purchased at Raetihi Lodge – see www.qctlc.com for more information.
We can help you with bookings and further information is available at the Raetihi Lodge Reception. Phone (03) 573 4300 or email us on lodge@raetihilodge.co.nz