Kawatiri Coastal Trail | Te Huarahi Takutai o Kawatiri
Adventure With Us
Who is the Kawatiri Coastal Trail for?
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is ideal for families and individuals looking for a manageable adventure or anyone looking to experience the best of the West Coast.
What level of fitness do I need?
The Grade 2 (Easy) trail is suitable for all ages, fitness levels and cycling abilities. The trail is predominantly wide, flat and smooth, with a gentle gradient, making it suitable for everything from children’s bikes and uprights, to touring bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes.
Where do I start my ride?
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail will open in stages, with the trail due for completion late 2023. With multiple access points between Westport and Charleston, the 42 km trail may be ridden in either direction, enjoyed as manageable day sections, or as a multi-day adventure.
Which sections are open?
The Pūwaha, Kawau, Omau, Tauranga and Waitakere sections are fully open. More information can be found on the trail section pages.
How long is the Trail?
Once built, the Kawatiri Coastal Trail will comprise of 8 Sections, each varying in length from 5 km to 10 km. For a leisurely tour, riders can comfortably traverse three sections in one day.
Support Services
As more of the trail opens, Official Partners will be listed on the website to help visitors plan their adventure. Bike hire, tours, transport options, accommodation, and eateries will make logistics simple to incorporate an overnight stop or two. In the interim visitors should utilise services offered by the Westport i-SITE.
Westport Trail Head
Charleston Trail Head
GETTING THERE
Driving Times & Distances
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is located on the West Coast of the South Island, and within easy reach of Greymouth, Nelson, Blenheim, Picton and Christchurch. Direct flights to Westport are available from Wellington. The approximate flying time is 50 minutes. Officially starting from Westport in the North, riders enjoy diverse landscapes between Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay, Ōkari, Tōtara and Charleston.
Karamea
TO WESTPORT
95 km | 1 hour, 25 minutes
Greymouth
TO WESTPORT
97 km | 1 hour, 30 minutes
Nelson
TO WESTPORT
230 km | 3 hours, 20 minutes
Blenheim
TO WESTPORT
260 km | 4 hours, 15 minutes
Picton
TO WESTPORT
288 km | 4 hours, 40 minutes
Christchurch
TO WESTPORT (via Lewis Pass)
336 km | 4 hours
Please note the above times are approximate and depend on the vehicle and conditions. Multiple access points, bike hire and transport options will eventually make logistics simple to incorporate an overnight stop or two. As a Grade 2 family friendly cycle trail it is suitable for most ages and abilities, and ultimately will offer the convenience of accommodation and eateries along the way.
Adventure Further
The trail can easily be combined with other local adventure activities, and additional cycling and walking trails, including Kawatiri River Trails, Denniston Plateau Trails, West Coast Wilderness Trail, Old Ghost Road, Heaphy Track, Paparoa Track, and Reefton Trails, visitors are spoilt by all the Buller Region has to offer.