Wānaka: Gladstone Track and Wanaka Trails on Bike or eBike

Lake Hāwea is the star of this ride. You begin beside its long blue shoreline, then follow the newly resurfaced Gladstone Track before joining the Hāwea and Wānaka Trails toward town. The reward is a changing parade of lake, river, mountain, and canal views, all without sharing the road with cars.

I like the road-free route, which makes this a relaxed choice for families and less-confident cyclists. I also like the careful bike setup and local help from guides such as James and David. The main consideration is distance: 34 kilometres is manageable on an e-bike, but it is still a substantial ride on a standard bike, especially in poor weather or if you stop often.

Key points to know before you ride

• Begin at Lake Hāwea and finish in Wānaka: A shuttle removes the need to cycle back to your starting point.
• Ride the new Gladstone Track: The first 6 kilometres follow the front of Lake Hāwea along a recently resurfaced trail.
• Stay off public roads: The route uses trails and paths, graded 1 to 2, with small rolling hills.
• Choose an e-bike for the easiest day: The operator recommends e-bikes so your group can keep together and enjoy more stops.
• Stop at Pembroke Patisserie: The Albert Town bakery is a useful break after roughly an hour of riding, but it closes at 2pm.
• Finish with Wānaka’s famous tree: You have time for a photo at #ThatWanakaTree before returning the bikes.

Why this 34km route works so well

This is not a guided cycling tour with someone setting the pace at the front. It is a self-guided ride, which gives you room to stop for photographs, take a quiet break beside the water, or simply ride at the speed that feels right.

That freedom matters in Wānaka. The scenery changes quickly, and a fixed group pace could make you hurry past the best viewpoints. After the shuttle and safety briefing, you can ride independently while keeping a direct contact number for your nzbiketrails host if you need help.

The route is advertised at 34 kilometres, or about 21 miles. On an e-bike, actual riding time is around two hours, but the full outing takes about three and a half to four hours once you add the shuttle, bike setup, stops, and bakery break. A standard bike will require more effort, particularly if you are not used to longer rides.

The trail grade is 1 to 2, described as family-friendly, with small rolling hills rather than steep climbs. That does not mean the distance is trivial. I would call it a comfortable day for a reasonably active cyclist and an especially easy day on an e-bike, but a demanding choice for someone who rarely rides.

Starting in Wānaka with a proper bike fitting

Meet the nzbiketrails vehicle at the loading bay outside 103 Ardmore Street, beside Wānaka’s i-Site. If you are driving, free parking is available on either side of Pembroke Park, along the lake side and beside the park. Allow five to ten minutes to walk to the pickup point, and arrive early because the shuttle cannot wait for late arrivals.

The transport to Lake Hāwea takes about 25 minutes. This is more than a simple transfer. James or David can point out local features, explain the route, and offer suggestions before you start. That short drive helps you understand the day ahead instead of having to work out the trail from a map alone.

At Lake Hāwea, the team gives you a safety briefing and a route explanation. They also set up your bike, check your helmet, and make sure you understand the gears and e-bike assistance levels. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for anyone who has not used an e-bike recently.

You receive a helmet with impact protection, a rear rack bag, a lock, a pump, and a repair kit. The bikes are trail-ready rather than basic town cruisers. The e-bike fleet uses Sinch models designed for New Zealand trails, while standard options include Specialized Rockhopper and Trek Marlin bikes.

For children aged eight and over who are at least 130 centimetres tall, nzbiketrails offers a lightweight Specialized Levo Turbo SL with 24-inch wheels. Taller young riders can use Sinch bikes with 26, 27.5, or 29-inch wheels. This is a useful detail for families, since many bike operations only offer adult e-bikes.

The Gladstone Track beside Lake Hāwea

The first major section follows the shoreline of Lake Hāwea on the Gladstone Track. Around 6 kilometres of this section has been newly resurfaced, so the opening ride should feel smooth and approachable.

Lake Hāwea gives you the big visual payoff early. The water, open slopes, and surrounding peaks create a broad sense of space, and the scene changes with the season. Summer brings longer daylight and easier conditions for lingering. Autumn adds warmer tones, while winter can give the area a stark, clear character. Spring offers its own mix of changing weather and fresh colour.

You are riding on trails and paths rather than roads. That removes a major source of stress, especially for parents or anyone who does not enjoy cycling near traffic. You still need to watch the trail, manage your speed, and follow directions, but the ride feels much more like an outing in nature than a transport route.

The path is not a flat indoor exercise machine. Expect gentle rises and small rolling sections across open plateaus. A standard bike handles the route, as shown by riders completing the full ride on regular bikes, but an e-bike gives you a larger margin for comfort. It also helps a mixed-ability group stay together.

Take your time here. The temptation is to cover ground quickly because the trail feels easy, but this is one of the best places to pause. The company takes photographs at the start, yet you should bring a charged smartphone for your own pictures. The views are too good to leave entirely to the official camera.

From lakeside riding to rivers and canals

After the Gladstone Track, the route joins the Hāwea and Wānaka Trails. The scenery becomes more varied as you move away from the lake. You pass waterways, river sections, and open countryside, with mountain views continuing in the distance.

This variety is what makes the ride more interesting than a simple out-and-back along one shoreline. You get a sense of how the lakes and rivers connect around Wānaka, and the route lets you see quieter corners that are easy to miss when you stay in town.

Navigation is generally explained before you set off, and the host remains available if you need support. Still, do not expect a guide riding beside you to point out every turn. One rider found the route easy to follow overall but suggested that a few more signs would help. Another got briefly turned around near Lake Hāwea and treated it as part of the fun, with locals helping out.

My practical advice is to keep your phone charged, save the operator’s contact number, and pay attention during the route briefing. The ride is self-guided, so a little preparation makes the independence more enjoyable.

The Pembroke Patisserie stop in Albert Town

After just over an hour of riding, you can stop at Pembroke Patisserie in Albert Town. The break is planned for about 30 minutes, and it is a good place to add coffee, cake, a doughnut, sausage roll, or lunch to the day.

Food and drinks are not included in the $86 price, so bring a payment method and plan for this extra cost. The bakery closes at 2pm, which is important. If tasting something from the patisserie is part of your plan, check the start time and keep your ride moving enough to arrive before closing.

This stop also breaks up the distance in a useful way. Instead of facing all 34 kilometres as one long ride, you have a natural halfway pause where you can rest, refuel, and check how your legs feel. If you are on a standard bike, this is particularly valuable.

The stop is optional in spirit, since you control your own pace, but I would make room for it if the opening hours work. It adds a local food moment to a day otherwise focused on trails and scenery.

Arriving at #ThatWanakaTree

The route continues toward Wānaka, ending near the lake and the well-known #ThatWanakaTree. The photo stop is brief, about five minutes, but it gives you a clear final marker before returning the bikes at 103 Ardmore Street.

The tree is one of the area’s most photographed sights, so do not expect solitude or a long visit. Its value here is practical as well as scenic: after a point-to-point ride through the wider district, you finish at a recognisable Wānaka landmark rather than simply rolling into a bike depot.

You return the bikes by 4pm. The operator has offered flexibility on the exact return timing when riders communicate their plans, but you should still treat 4pm as the firm cutoff. If you make extra photo stops or small detours, keep an eye on the clock.

E-bike or standard bike?

For most people, I would choose the e-bike. The operator recommends it, and the reason is sensible: your group is more likely to remain together, and you can spend your energy looking around rather than worrying about the next rise.

An e-bike does not remove the need to pedal. It simply makes the rolling sections and longer distance easier to manage. It is a particularly good choice if your group includes different fitness levels, if you have not ridden for a while, or if you want plenty of time for photos and the bakery.

Standard bikes are still a sound option for regular cyclists. The route has no roads and only gentle inclines, and riders have completed it comfortably on standard bikes. Gravel bikes are also available, though the supplied details do not specify a separate route or a major benefit over the regular trail bikes.

Make sure your booking selects the bike type you want. One rider accidentally booked standard bikes and was still able to switch because extra e-bikes were available, but I would not rely on that during a busy period.

What the $86 price includes

At $86 per person, this is not simply a bike rental. The price covers the shuttle from Wānaka to Lake Hāwea, the bike, helmet, rack bag, repair kit, pump, lock, bike fitting, route briefing, and access to trail support.

You also receive local guidance during the transfer and direct contact with a host while riding. Trail donations to the Local Trail Trust are included, as are photographs taken at the start. The company is Wānaka’s only Qualmark Gold accredited bike hire and shuttle business, which adds a useful quality marker for an activity involving equipment and transport.

Food and drinks cost extra, and you may want to budget for the patisserie. The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange a one-way shuttle and hire a bike separately. It is also good value for a family or mixed-ability group that benefits from careful fitting and support rather than a basic rental transaction.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure that gives you enough time for the patisserie if that stop matters to you.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to adults, families with confident cycling children aged eight and up, couples, and groups who want a scenic day without riding beside traffic. It works especially well for people who want freedom rather than a tightly managed guided tour.

It is also a strong choice for novice e-bike users. The staff do not simply hand over the bike and send you away. James and David are repeatedly praised for fitting helmets and bikes properly, explaining the controls, and making sure riders feel ready before departure.

You should think twice if you cannot ride a bike, are under 130 centimetres tall, or weigh more than 120 kilograms, since those are stated restrictions. The ride is also a poor match if you want a short, effortless outing with no planning. Four hours can pass quickly with photo stops, but 34 kilometres remains a real commitment.

The route runs through all seasons, yet weather still affects your enjoyment. Rain can make the day less comfortable, even though the trail remains a worthwhile way to see the area. Bring sunscreen, water, gloves, weather-appropriate clothing, and a charged smartphone. The operator also suggests sunscreen for good reason: open sections beside the lakes can offer little shelter.

Should you book the Gladstone Track ride?

Book this experience if you want to see more than Wānaka’s waterfront and prefer a point-to-point ride with good equipment and practical support. The combination of Lake Hāwea, the Gladstone Track, rivers, canals, Albert Town, and #ThatWanakaTree gives you a fuller look at the district than a short town ride.

Choose an e-bike unless everyone in your group is comfortable riding 34 kilometres on a standard bike. Check the start time if you want the Pembroke Patisserie stop, allow extra time to park, and keep your phone ready for navigation and support.

The price is fair for the shuttle, quality bike, safety gear, and backup. This is not a fully guided cultural tour, and route signs may require your attention. But if you value independence, quiet trails, wide views, and a team that takes bike setup seriously, this is one of the more useful ways to spend a half-day around Wānaka.

FAQ

How long does the Wānaka to Lake Hāwea bike ride take?

The full experience lasts about 210 minutes to four hours. The shuttle takes around 25 minutes, the bike ride takes about two and a half hours in the planned schedule, and the bakery break takes about 30 minutes. Actual riding time on an e-bike is approximately two hours.

How far is the ride?

The route is described as a 34-kilometre ride from Lake Hāwea back to Wānaka. It follows the Gladstone Track, then the Hāwea and Wānaka Trails.

Are the trails suitable for families?

The ride is graded 1 to 2 and is described as family-friendly. It includes small rolling hills and no public-road riding. Children must be at least eight years old and 130 centimetres tall, and they must be able to ride a bike.

Should I choose an e-bike or a standard bike?

E-bikes are recommended because they help groups stay together and make the rolling sections easier. Standard and gravel bikes are also available, and regular cyclists can complete the route on a standard bike.

What is included in the price?

The $86 per person price includes an e-bike or standard bike, helmet, rear rack bag, repair kit, pump, lock, bike and route briefings, the shuttle from Wānaka to Lake Hāwea, trail support if needed, trail donations, and photos taken at the start.

Where do I meet the shuttle?

Meet the nzbiketrails branded vehicle at the loading bay outside 103 Ardmore Street, beside Wānaka’s i-Site. Free parking is available beside Pembroke Park, about a five to ten minute walk from the pickup point.