5 Bike Tours in Nelson That Repay the Detour

1.Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Self-Guided Cycling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $80Our pick

Start at Kiwi Journeys in Nelson at 9:00 am, collect a comfort trail bike, helmet, pannier, repair kit, odometer, and map, then ride toward Mapua at your own pace. Stop for breweries, wineries, peanut butter, lunch, and coastal views before using the included ferry and shuttle back to Nelson.

“This is a great ride with lots of different views along the way. We enjoyed lunch in Mapua at the end and the company employees are very friendly.”

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2.Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $121Top rated

Cycle unguided from Nelson along the flat, off-road Great Taste Trail to Seifried Winery, 22 km away. Chris and Bernie provide your e-bike, helmet, map, and personal briefing. Taste local wine, add lunch, or continue toward Mapua by ferry.

“Great trail for a ride except the first section when it parallels the highway. The trail is well maintained and marked. We rode to Rabbit Island and it was well worth the effort. The beach is a great place to rest and listen to the surf.”

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3.Nelson to Mapua: Full-Day Cycling Self-Guided Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 7 hours · from $77

Start in Nelson with a fitted bike, helmet, pannier, map, and trail briefing, then ride independently to Mapua on the Great Taste Trail. Follow blue markers through city streets, coastal boardwalks, Rabbit Island, and the Waimea Swing Bridge. Finish at Mapua Wharf, cross by ferry, and return to Nelson by shuttle.

“Fietstocht was leuk alleen zit er verschil een gids als mens mee of een papieren gids. Wij hebben een geweldige dag gehad 😎”

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4.Self-Guided Tunnel to Town Cycling Tour via Mapua

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 9 reviews · from $93

Start in Nelson, shuttle to Spooner’s Tunnel, and cycle the old rail corridor through Richmond, vineyards, farmland, and native bush. Stop for lunch, wine, berry ice cream, and perhaps a brewery visit before crossing Rabbit Island and taking the Mapua Ferry. This self-guided 9-hour trip includes bikes, maps, transport, and water.

“Such a fun day out. Great bikes that covered all terrain and the route was absolutely amazing. 10/10 day out”

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5.Cable Bay Adventure Park: E-bike hire

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $56Best value

Hire a full-suspension e-bike for four hours at Cable Bay Adventure Park. After an English safety briefing and carpark practice, choose marked trails from Grade 3 to Grade 5, ride the 4x4 roads to Skywire, or follow the 14-kilometre return route to Bayview lookout. Helmets are included, but no guide, food, or shuttle.

“Grade 3-5 tracks, not for the faint hearted. Well worth a look.”

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