The Heaphy encompasses rain forest and coast and its bridges have been upgraded for mountain bikers. Photo: Jack Austin

Tramp or mountain bike the Heaphy Track?

Great Walks, Heaphy Track, Mountain biking

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Marios Gavalas

Marios is an adventure guide and author of 18 walking and tramping books.

By Marios Gavalas

It was the first Great Walk to be opened up to mountain bikers, but there’s still no easy answer on whether to lace up your boots or pump up your tyres.

The Heaphy Track has become one of the country’s premier multi-day mountain bike trips. It’s still a summer tramp, but from May 1 to November 30, it’s also a ride. Since 2014, the track’s huts and bridges have been upgraded and unrideable rooty and rocky surfaces have been smoothed over. Although faster, mountain biking is […]

About the author

Marios Gavalas

Marios Gavalas works as an adventure guide, showing off Aotearoa’s wild places to international visitors. He is the author of 18 walking and tramping guide books and has been a Wilderness contributor for over 10 years. He is happy on his mountain bike or skis and can often be found in his garden communing with gnomes.