The South Wairarapa town of Featherston is now officially on New Zealand’s cycling map.
The section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail that leads straight into the Wairarapa gateway town at the bottom of Remutaka Hill has been designated part of the Great Rides network.
The decision affects 10km of the route into Featherston from Cross Creek.
The full trail is one of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails’ “great rides” and connects Wellington with Wairarapa. It goes through the Hutt River valley, old railway tunnels, and farmland.
Remutaka Cycle Trail steering group chair James Lamb said the extension will give cyclists more options to explore the region.
“The extension may only be 10km long, but it is a great addition to the great rides trail and suitable for all ages and levels,” he said.
The 115km long trail did not include Featherston, until now.
South Wairarapa District Council mayor Martin Connelly said the move is a win for cyclists, the town, and for the region.
“This section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail provides people with a safe and accessible route to Featherston, the gateway to Wairarapa, and will bring people into the town to experience its hospitality, history, and retail opportunities,” he said.
“We are thrilled to see this included in the great rides network – more people will get to experience the charms of the town, which is well-known for its quirky collectable shops, and great gourmet cafes.”
The route connects to the Wairarapa Five Towns Trail Network, which aims to develop almost 200km of recreational trails for walking and cycling, linking Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, and Masterton.
There are a number of entry points to the Remutaka Cycle Trail for cyclists to plan their routes, with the section from Petone to Featherston being about 70km long.
The designation means the route will qualify for additional funding for maintenance and promotion.
More information on cycle trails is available at
www.nzcycletrail.com.
– NZLDR
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
