The New Zealand Cycle is not a cycle trail! It was an idea to build a trail the length of the country. That proved impractical so the idea turned into "national project to build a world class network of cycle trails" and also a tribute to the politician who promised the money.
The "New Zealand Cycle Trail" is currently 22 cycle trails but the idea has been captured by plurally challenged marketing graduates so the required "s" has not been added. Hence it's still one trails!!! There is a slick government website with information about all the trails, and the "official partners" who help to "build the profile of the NZCT brand". You'll find it here: www.nzcycletrail.com
The tails "showcase the best of New Zealand's landscape, environment, culture and heritage". Most are easy trails for the recreational cyclist and fall into the multi-day supported tour style of ride. But they range all the way up to an epic back country adventure trail requiring expert riding skills and lots of muscle. Millions of dollars have been spent on them and it shows. Generally they are outstanding trails of their type. All are described in singletracks.com by riders who have ridden them.
Anyone browsing New Zealand cycle trails on the internet will come across "The New Zealand Cycle Trail" so I put this page on Singletracks to add a non-marketing point of view. One thing the marketeers have done is call this bunch of trails the "Great Rides" suggesting that they are New Zealand's best. Some are great others are not so great...
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