There are two start options for the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: Mount Cook Aoraki or Lake Tekapo. Both take you to Lake Pukaki and then to Twizel, but the easier ride is from Tekapo.
Option 1 starts at the White Horse Hill Campground at Mt Cook Aoraki. From there, a 7.2km trail takes you to Mount Cook Airport, where you need to make a short helicopter flight across the Tasman River to Tasman Point. The helicopter can carry up to 6 passengers at a time and needs to be pre-booked.
From Tasman Point, it’s 10.6 km on a rough track down the east side of the Tasman River, then Lake Pukaki, with several creek crossings, to the Jollie Car Park. Then, 17 km along Braemar Station Road to Hayman Road, all unsealed until the Tekapo B Power Station. From there, continue down the east side of Lake Pukaki to a purpose-built cycle track around the lake's southern edge to the Visitor Centre. Lake Pukaki to Twizel is a relatively easy ride to finish the day.
On a clear day, the first section of the trail offers especially good views of Aoraki Mt Cook.
