The Old Coach Road Bike Trail links Ohakune and Horopito across the Ruapehu plateau, following the formation of the original North Island Main Trunk railway, and earns a 4.7 rating from 54 Google reviews.
Heritage rail trails like this one reward a little planning. They usually run point to point rather than as a loop, so most riders arrange a shuttle or leave a second car at the far end before setting out. The old rail gradients make for easy pedalling, but gravel surfaces and changeable mountain weather call for sturdy tyres, a spare layer and a check of the forecast. It pays to allow extra time for the sights along the way, since restored viaducts, hand-built stone walls and old railway relics are half the point of these routes.
Starting from either Ohakune or Horopito, this trail pairs gentle riding with a close-up look at the region's railway history.