We are your local specialists in "peace of mind" self-guided & guided cycling trips on the Great Taste Trail.
Our all-inclusive self guided trip packages include bike hire (or you can bring your own), accommodation, all passenger & luggage transfers, personalised trip notes & a detailed pre-departure briefing. We also provide detailed trail maps showing the location of all the tasty places en route. If you prefer to ride independently, we can provide Ortlieb panniers for our bikes. Our guided multi-day trips on the Great Taste Trail are designed to enable you to ride the trail in a supported group, safe in the knowledge that you will see all the best things along the way. Free, off-road parking is available at our office.
Abel Tasman Great Taste Trio
5 Days: Great Taste Trail + Abel Tasman National Park
Enjoy two and a half days of glorious cycling, exploring the Great Taste Trail Coastal Route from Stoke to Kaiteriteri with The Gentle Cycling Company. Then luxuriate in the Abel Tasman Park for two and a half days, staying in the Wilson’s beach front lodges.
Accessible Bike Tours
1-7 Days: You Choose The Itinerary
The Bowhead Rogue is our most highly engineered and exciting set of wheels in the shed. Adjustable for people from 9-90 year of age, this safe, comfortable and fun Adventure-E Bike has a powerful, smooth motor to help you adventure and explore for longer each day.
Work with us to arrange an itinerary you’ll love, selecting from a wide variety of options. From a relaxing Buddhist Centre retreat, private wine tasting and hop farm tour, to waka paddling, skydiving, skywire and kayaking.
Coastal Classic
3 Days: Nelson - Mapua - Kaiteriteri
Beaches, vineyards, boardwalks and galleries, this tour enjoys the highest concentration of places to eat, drink and soak up the many wonders of the Great Taste Trail. Family friendly, this tour is divided into manageable chunks so there’s plenty of time for you to stop and enjoy the delights each day.
Plains and Coast
4 Days: Nelson - Mapua - Kaiteriteri
This popular off-road tour option enables you to follow the historic rail route and cycle through the iconic Spooners Tunnel, along rivers, through regenerating forest, vineyards and historic towns. You’ll flow along the coast with its many artisanal delights, ending at the golden sands of Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the iconic Abel Tasman National Park
Loop the Loop
5 Days: Tapawera - Kaiteriteri - Mapua
Keen to tick off the whole Great Taste Trail circuit? This tour is for those with the fitness and fortitude for on and off-road cycling. The diverse landscapes and sense of achievement are well worth it and you’ll get to enjoy some remote and rugged scenery for your efforts.
Staycation Cycle Tour
Stay in one location - a cycle tour tailored for you
Help us design a bespoke itinerary that includes daily cycling options and a range of diverse activities such as golf, forging a knife, winery tours and waka paddling.
Luxury accommodation and a range of catering options available. Relax in the spa and pool each evening with a glass of your favourite tipple. The Nelson region is a great place to explore and unwind.
Luxury Cycle & Sail
7 Days: Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park
Leave Nelson on two wheels and return six days later on a luxury yacht. Your guide will take you on a personalised tour along the Great Taste Trail and into the South Island’s golden crown, Abel Tasman National Park, exploring the Top of the South in decadent style.
Single Day Tours
Guided / Unguided
Check out our full day and half day, guided or unguided packages on the Great Taste Trail. You can choose from our tours: Spooners Tunnel, Marvelous Moutere, Rabbit Island Picnic, Great Taste Wine, one of our Great Taste Beer tours or the Great Taste Goose Chase. We can also design a bespoke adventure for you – get in touch!
Custom Tours
Guided / Unguided
Go it alone, equipped with our maps and trip notes or enjoy our fully guided options with travel support to provide flexibility. There’s a wide variety of activities, such as, a Buddhist Centre retreat, private wine tasting, hop farm tour. We can design a bespoke tour to suit your needs and interests.
What our adventurers say
Our tours are perfect for groups too...
Hi Bernie and Chris,
When it comes to customer service and communication l can’t thank you enough for ALL of your support and l can say we had nothing but fun in the sun.
From your preparation and very interactive care factor on day 1 we felt well looked after.
Contacting us daily and ensuring we knew what we were doing came as a blessing because my dad, 78 years old and I’m certainly not the most in shape cyclist, we certainly had a well-rounded, organised and fun filled ride with each other thanks to you and your Team.Memories that will last a lifetime.
Accommodation and scenery on our journey was well and truly past my expectations.We both cannot thank you enough and still talk about how well we were treated.
Bernie, if only l had 30 more staff members of your passion and commitment in my business. Truly inspiring and such a pleasure to have met you.Epic!!! Such a life changing experience to have done this with my father but could not thank you enough for your efforts.Chur/ThanksAaron and Doug
The highlight for the Mt. Pirongia Papier Mache Club’s long weekend in Nelson, was the bike tour. Superbly hosted and organised by The Gentle Cycling Company, we enjoyed the hospitality of the different venues, and the scenery offered by the great bike trails. We give thanks.
We have just finished our 5 day guided Cycle Tour with Chris & Bernie from Gentle Cycling. There were 16 in our Group & we have had the most amazing time with Chris as our guide. Once introduced to Chris & Bernie they never forgot a name & everything was 100% perfect!! Our accommodation was all split up due to the size of our group & we were all thrilled with our accommodation!! We would thoroughly recommend Gentle Cycling!!
