The Motatapu

The Motatapu Ultra traverses the absolutely stunning ridges and valleys of the Harris Mountain Range between Wanaka and Arrowtown. The track covers 52.5km of exposed and physically challenging back-country terrain across the Motatapu and Soho Stations on an old travellers' route that is steeped in New Zealand history.

You will ascend a total of 3330 metres over four peaks (the highest point being 1275m), and negotiate rough tussock-covered areas, long, steep saddles and river crossings. It will be an accomplishment you'll remember and be very proud of for a long time to come.

The Motatapu Ultra follows the DOC Motatapu Track, which forms part of the Te Araroa Walking Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Te Araroa, meaning "The Long Pathway", connects settlements, townships and cities throughout New Zealand, showcasing a wide variety of NZ experiences - natural, cultural and historic.

This event takes you on an iconic off-road course through the magnificent Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations. There is only one chance to bike this course each year and it’s by riding The Motatapu! Set in the spectacular Southern high country of New Zealand, there are many rivers to cross, hills to climb and a few steep descents thrown into the mix.
The ride starts on the shore of Lake Wanaka and finishes at historic Arrowtown. Your journey follows a route early Maori used for hunting and gathering, and to move Pounamu (Greenstone). The valley was not discovered by European explorers until around 1862 during the gold rush.

The course follows a spectacular loop from Arrowtown, ascending the historic Tobin's Track up onto the Crown Terrace before entering the magnificent Glencoe Station (water and toilet location). You’ll pass historic ruins of a miner’s cottage as you climb to the Aid Station at 6.5km. From here, the course continues up the tussock covered hillside ascending to the high point at 1047m and a breath-taking view of the Wakatipu Basin. The trail narrows to a single track as it cuts across the top of the mountain heading towards the big descent of the race. The next couple kilometres zig-zag down towards the Arrow River on a rough, disused farm track. With 4km to go Miners Trail runners meet the Macetown Track and connect up with the Off-Road Marathon, Ultra & Mountain Bike course for the final push to the finish.

This is a mountain-style course with varied terrain underfoot including farm track, backcountry single track and with short sections of steep ascent/descent. Not to mention the 11 river crossings that greet you in your final couple KMs! This will be a spectacular race that you won’t soon forget.

Get off-road and into the hills – you have a challenge ahead of you!