The Old Ghost Road
West Coast
- Grade: Advanced
- Duration: 2-3 days
- Total Length: 80km
- Location: West Coast
On the Old Ghost Road Trail you will you cycle past mining relics of a bygone era, ascend through picturesque native forest and break out onto alpine tops with breath-taking views. Not only this, you will also descend into open river valleys with lakes and tarns everywhere, weaving through giant podocarp rainforest inhabited by abundant wildlife. At the northern end, a 30km section of trail is open from Seddonville, up the Mokihinui Gorge and on to Goat Creek. At the southern end, there is also 30km of trail, providing a stunning cycle from Lyell in the Buller Gorge, through native forest and over the Lyell Tops to Ghost Lake Hut. This trail is an amazing experience and especially in the summer months.
The Old Ghost Road is located on the upper West Coast of the South Island. The nearest domestic airports are in Westport and Nelson. There is an international airport in Christchurch and there are also daily bus services from Nelson and Christchurch to Westport. The southern end of The Old Ghost Road starts at the Department of Conservation's Lyell campground in the Upper Buller Gorge. If you are not driving, you will need to arrange a shuttle or bus to drop you off or pick you up.
The Old Ghost Road is a remote wilderness experience and definitely requires the most amount of preparation. There are no towns or shops located along the trail, so you will need to take all necessary provisions, including first aid. Six huts are located along The Old Ghost Road. Four of these huts are now open. Bookings are essential and can be made via the official trail website. You will find a toilet located at each hut. There is very limited mobile phone coverage along The Old Ghost Road. Sandflies also inhabit low lying areas of The Old Ghost Road. The huts have been constructed with insect mesh, but for extended periods outside, insect repellent is advisable./p>
For more information, view the The Old Ghost Road page provided by NZ Cycle Trail.
West Coast
Find out more about the West Coast region by following the links below:
- West Coast Accommodation
- West Coast Attractions and Activities
- West Coast Cuisine and Dining
- West Coast Tours
- West Coast Transport
- West Coast Visitor Information
All West Coast accommodation can be booked online.
