Old Ghost Road Mountain Bike Adventure

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Port Hills and Christchurch Adventure Park

   Your mountain biking adventure begins with a warm up in Christchurch’s Port Hills. Flowing single-track along the crater rim gives you panoramic views in all directions, the peaks of the Southern Alps to the west and the vivid blue waters of Lyttelton harbor to the east. Your adventure continues with a few runs in Christchurch’s Adventure Park using their state-of-the-art lift.

   You will then enjoy lunch at the on-site restaurant before getting ready for the 1.5 hour drive towards the mountains. The journey takes you across the vast Canterbury Plains and over Porters Pass which is a fitting introduction to the Craigieburn Mountains where your next adventure awaits.

   You will stay the night at Forest Lodge where you will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and a hot shower. Note: If you are bringing your own bike, please make sure you have it assembled and ready when you are picked up in the morning. If you are hiring a mountain bike, there will be a chance to test and fit your hire bike. 
   

   • 24.9 miles
   • Forest Lodge
   • Lunch and Dinner

   • 

     Porters Lodge

     Spend the first night at this wonderful location, surrounded by flow trails and just spitting distance from Craigieburn trails

   • 

     Porters Lodge

     Spend the first night at this wonderful location, surrounded by flow trails and just spitting distance from Craigieburn trails

2. Day 2Craigieburn Ranges to West Coast

   Today’s adventure starts right outside your doorstep. After a hearty breakfast, you will set loose in the Craigieburn forest. You’ll be rewarded with fantastic views over the surrounding valleys and mountains from the many trail options including the Hog’s Back, Luge, the Edge, Dracophyllum flat and Dicksons Downhill tracks.

   Returning to the trailhead, you will then drive across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass to Westport, the charming West Coast town that’s the stopping point for the night. You will enjoy an evening meal and a well-deserved beer in one of the town’s historic pubs. Rest up as the next three days will be huge!

   
   

   • 24.9 miles
   • Accommodation in Westport
   • Breakfast and Dinner
3. Day 3Lyell to Ghost Lake Hut (Old Ghost Road Day 1)

   A short drive takes you to the gold rush ghost town of Lyell and the start of the Old Ghost Road. The trail starts with a 765m (2510ft) climb through beach forest along an old dray road to the open tops of the saddle, offering dramatic views across the valley in all directions. A narrow and rocky track then sidles across the face of Mt Montgomery and past ‘Heaven’s Door’ before descending through stunted alpine forest to Ghost Lake Hut and your accommodation for the night.

   At 1200m (3937ft) above sea level, we think you’ll agree this is the perfect place to stop. You’ll enjoy a relaxed evening at the hut, overlooking Ghost Lake and the surrounding mountain ranges where your guides will prepare your evening meal.

   Riding Time: 6-8 hours

   
   

   • 18.6 miles
   • Ghost Lake Hut
   • Breakfast and Dinner

   • 

     Old Ghost Road hut

     Stay in stunning locations as you stay on the trail itself

4. Day 4Ghost Lake to Specimen Point Hut (Old Ghost Road Day 2)

   Today the ride descends rapidly from Ghost Lake through rock gardens with tight turns to reach the spectacular Skyline Ridge. You will then carry your bike down the Skyline Steps before some fun, fast and sweeping single-track into the Stern Valley. The trail continues to meander on through the Earnest Valley and zigzags up through a large boulder field named the Boneyard to Solemn Saddle.

   From here it’s on down to the confluence with the Mokihinui River South Branch and the old Goat Creek Hut. From Goat Creek, you will wind your way through towering podocarp forest to the Mokihinui ‘Forks’ and then on to the Specimen Point Hut site 3km (1.8mi) downstream towards at the head of Mokihinui River Gorge. Your guides will cook up another tasty meal and you will relax enjoying views of the river nearby.

   Riding time: 6-9 hours

   
   

   • 23.6 miles
   • Specimen Point Hut
   • Breakfast and Dinner
5. Day 5Specimen Point to Christchurch (Old Ghost Road Day 3)

   From Specimen Point, the Mokihinui squeezes into a tight gorge and below are rushing green waters and deep clear pools. Narrow swing bridges overhang massive drops and the old miners’ road is re-joined for the undulating ride through the spectacular Mokihinui River gorge to the end of the trail and the end of the Old Ghost Road.

   At Seddonville you will meet up with the transport, load up the bikes before enjoying a shower and refreshments at the Rough & Tumble lodge. You will then set off on the journey over the Lewis Pass back to Christchurch. You can expect to arrive in Christchurch around 6pm in the central city. Those who would like to dismantle and box their mountain bikes can return to the tour operator's depot.

   Riding time: 2-4 hours

   
   
   
   

   • 10.6 miles
   • Breakfast and Lunch