History on the Heaphy

In 1936 Wilf Broughton and Noel Pope completed the first known Heaphy cycle trip as part of a 21 day tour around the top of the South Island. Hard men. Fast forward to the 80's and 90's and the track became a must-do mountain bike adventure. Around 2000 cyclists are estimated to have ridden it in the last year prior to its closure in 1996 - when the Forest Park became Kahurangi National Park. Legislation precluded bikes on the Heaphy and a lengthy campaign began to regain access. 15 long years later in 2011, a three year trial commenced allowing mountain biking on the Heaphy each winter, and in December 2013 the Conservation Minister announced that the winter mountain bike season on the Heaphy is here to stay.

Few trampers bother with the Heaphy in the off-season so although bitterly cold at night, it's a good time to be there. There's also less rainfall and as it was originally built for pack horses, the track has a hard surface and is mostly well drained.

Fit parties need a couple of days, overnighting at James Mackay or Saxon Huts. Budget on 6-9 hours riding each day. In winter 9 hours is about all the daylight available. It's worth taking your time anyway - the riding is sublime and the ever changing landscape stunning. Recreational groups should allow three days and two nights - and bigger packs for the extra food. Terrain is mostly advanced Grade 4. It becomes trickier in the wet or cold, so is quite a step up from say the Queen Charlotte or Otago Rail Trail. Add remoteness to the cocktail and you'll want to be a good boy scout when planning your trip.

As a coast to coast traverse, the logistics can be challenging. The easiest and most cost effective option is to pair up with a team travelling in the reverse direction and swap keys halfway. Alternatives include a long bus trip or speedier and pricier shuttles by plane or chopper. You can also have your car relocated from one end to the other by Derry Kingston, who after dropping your vehicle off zips back along the track to the start to collect his own car. Then there's the premium all-you-can eat option - riding the track in two days from the Collingwood end with a night or two in Karamea before restocking and returning to your car in Golden Bay. 176km of pure indulgence.

The trip is equally rewarding travelling in either direction. By virtue of a coin toss it's described here starting in Collingwood and finishing in Karamea.

Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut17.5 km, 2-3.5 hours The day starts with a gentle but persistent climb, winding through beech forest to Perry Saddle.

Perry Saddle to Saxon Hut 12.4 km, 1.5-2.5 hours A rough 'n' tumble downhill on quad-bike track to Gouland Downs. At a little over halfway you pass the historic Gouland Downs hut. A quaint hang out with a huge open fireplace.

Saxon to Mackay Hut 11.8 km, 1.5-2.5 hours Boardwalks and groomed singletrack climb to the James Mackay Hut with its commanding view of the Heaphy River and West Coast. Count on it being desperately cold if youspend the night here.

Mackay to Lewis Hut 12.5 km, 0.5-1.5 hours An invigorating and sustained descent to the Lewis Hut. It can be soft in places, so jump off and walk any dodgy sections to avoid damaging the track or your body.

Lewis to Heaphy Hut 8 km, 1-2 hours Originally there was a maze of swing bridges to negotiate through the Heaphy Flats. No longer. In 2012 they were updated with a series of suspension bridges that can be ridden. Directly in front of the Lewis Hut is the longest - a staggering 148m. Paint it red and you could be in San Francisco.

Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai 16.2 km, 1.5-2.5 hours This stunning section oftrack weaves through nikau palms with native bush on one side and the Tasman Sea thundering on the other. A highlight of the journey and greatway to finish.