How New Zealand became one of the world's greatest cycling destinations

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It all began with a railway line that had fallen into disuse. The 150-kilometre section of track from Middlemarch to the town of Clyde in Otago, New Zealand's southernmost province, had outlived the industry around it, and was no longer of any use.

However, a few bright sparks saw a future for that old railway line, and while they were happy to tear up the rails and sleepers, the path itself was left intact – and that path would soon become New Zealand's most popular cycling track: the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The success of that trail was almost immediate, timed perfectly to coincide with a worldwide rise in popularity for cycling, and it went on to spark a revolution on two wheels in New Zealand. That revolution has now culminated in the creation of a nationwide network of bike trails known as the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

"In 2009, our Prime Minister, John Key, proposed the idea of building a cycling route to run the length of New Zealand, 'from Kaitaia to Bluff', at a national job summit held by the government," says Jenny Ryan, a keen cyclist and owner of Hawke's Bay cycle touring company Takaro Trails. "Although the original idea of a direct route was abandoned in favour of linking a network of existing paths and new sections, the project has been outstandingly popular."

New Zealand has long been known for its network of Great Walks, a series of multi-day hikes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, and the idea was that a network of Great Rides would have as much appeal for cyclists as the former has had for walking enthusiasts from around the world. More than NZ$80 million ($75m) was then poured into developing the New Zealand Cycle Trail, a network of bike tracks that covers a total of over 2700 kilometres, and ranges from gentle, single-day rides to multi-day options as well as mountain-bike trips that are for experienced riders only.

"The Great Rides are all graded from one to four, with grade 1 trails being the easiest and grade 4 being for advanced riders," Jenny says. "The Hawkes Bay Trails, for example, are all grade 1, so they have wide appeal and are especially attractive to families, seniors and those looking for a moderately active holiday with lots of opportunity to enjoy the other attractions the region offers."

The other trails offer a variety of styles and grades. The original bike track, the Otago Central Rail Trail, is a mix of grades 1 and 2, and can be ridden over five days. The newly opened Queen Charlotte Track, meanwhile, near the Marlborough region, has grades 3 and 4, while the Timber Trail on the North Island is a mix of grades 2 and 3. Each Great Ride offers something different, whether it's mountainous terrain, cityscapes, wineries, coastal views or forest outlooks, and all are dotted with rest huts, campsites, hotels, and sometimes lodges for more comfortable overnight stays.

"The trail facilities vary across the country, based on the maturity of the individual trail," Jenny says. "Here in Hawke's Bay we now have bike hire and cycle tour operators catering to all client types, from independent cyclists to those preferring fully guided or packaged experiences.