Your cycle tour starts at the southern entrance to Spooners Tunnel, where we drop you off. Riding through Spooners Tunnel is a highlight. It is a 1.4km long rail tunnel, the longest decommissioned tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. The railway line closed in 1955, against major protests at the time. Please note Spooners Tunnel is dark and chilly (13degr) all year round, so bring an extra layer. We will provide you with headlights and additionally, the midsection of the tunnel has reflectors laid down in the middle. You will feel your bike pick up speed as you commence the almost 10 km downhill section of the Trail as far as Belgrove where you can see a historic railway windmill, built in 1897, one of only 2 left in NZ. It originally pumped water to supply engines beginning the steep climb to Spooner's tunnel. Now used for domestic supply. This is the best remaining example of a wooden railway windmill in New Zealand. Then cycle on alongside the meandering Waiiti stream to Wakefield.

Wakefield

The lovely little rural village of Wakefield is a town with wonderful sense of history. Wakefield Primary School is New Zealand's oldest school and has been in continuous use since 1843. You will pass by the picturesque St John's Church, built in 1864, which is New Zealand's second oldest surviving church. Surprisingly the village also hosts some taste treats - the Wakefield bakery is famous for its great pies, arguably the best, and sweet treats too. For a relaxing coffee or lunch, there's also Cafe Villa where you can enjoy Organic coffee and great food. Scattered around the green pastoral landscapes from your bike you will see disused hop kilns now slowly coming back to life as increasingly hops and vineyards replace traditional agriculture. As you enter Brightwater you will pass the memorial to the Nobel prize winner, scientist Ernest Rutherford who was born nearby, and best known for being the first to split the atom. Then it's across a swingbridge and on to Old Factory Corner.