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Great Taste Trail

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail starts from Nelson Airport or Nelson i-SITE, and offers panoramic coastal views over Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary and the Western Ranges, including Mt Arthur, Mt Owen and Mt Crusader.

Riders pass over boardwalks along the edge of the Waimea Estuary, home to a range of internationally significant bird species including the White Heron and Royal Spoonbill.

From here the trail crosses to Rabbit Island, where riders can take a boat trip to Mapua wharf and enjoy cottage-industry shops, cafes and restaurants.

From Mapua the route leads via Tasman and Harley Road to Motueka, which hosts award-winning wineries, then on to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.

The Motueka Valley section of the trail from Riwaka goes to Woodstock on country roads along the Motueka River≠s west bank. The landscape is one of rivers and rolling hills with a backdrop of forest and mountains.

From Woodstock, a Grade 3 (intermediate) route heads over Dovedale hill (326m) to Wakefield on a hilly country road. This route is temporary and will be replaced with a flatter route via Tapawera and Kohatu Junction in future.

From Wakefield, the Great Taste Trail returns to Nelson on purpose-built cycle paths and lanes and takes riders through vineyards, cafes, with various accommodation options. The full loop is currently 165 km.

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is a joint initiative involving the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust, Tasman District Council, Regional Economic Development Agency, Nelson Tasman Tourism, and the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

Visit the website for more info www.heartofbiking.org.nz

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