suggestions, routes between ChCh and Blenheim

The eastern coast between Christchurch and Blenheim is relatively dry and a little dull. The Kowhai-Hapuku is an OK overnight trip near Kaikoura. You need to drop a bike at the end. Mount Tapuaenuku in the Kaikoura ranges is a good ascent -- highest point outside the Mount Cook area. There are other options. From Christchurch, you might want to look into Arthur's Pass and Lewis Pass. These are both only a few hours' drive away, and there are stacks of walks in these areas, and you can create your own routes in the tops. If you want something different, you might want to cross over to the West Coast and explore Paparoa NP. Or the journey up onto the Thousand Acre Plateau near Murchison is neat. It really depends what you want to see. Do you want scenery, tops, long distances...?

Thanks, I'll have a look at or maps. We're interested in doing a few multi day trips. We'll have a hire car but we're not bringing bikes with us this time.

Would agree with Matthew about Mount Tapuaenuku being a good ascent, but remember you will need permission from the owner if you want to go via the Hodder river up to the Hodder huts. Amazing scenary though......and wet feet.

We've cycled the Molesworth so we know a bit about the Kaikoura. Thanks for the suggestions. Any comments about the Waiau-Clarence Pass Lake Tennyson Route?

Uncertain where the Waiau-Clarence pass route is going to start. You could start in Nelson lake National Park > Blue Lake before crossing the Waiau Pass then down the Waiau and across Maling Pass to Lake Tennyson. Another direction would be to start at the St James track then up the Waiau River to Maling Pass and over to Lake Tennyson. Biggest problem is that Lake Tennyson is in the middle of nowhere so transport might be a problem... Could be easier transport wise to start at Lake Tennyson and tramp out to either Nelson Lakes or St James. Another possibility would be to go Nelson lakes- Waiau Pass - St James Walkway then out to Boyle Village. Plenty of other options in that area, with plenty of passes and river valleys to explore. But much of it is very remote and organizing transport can be a bit tricky. A couple of New Years back a mate and I were in the Upper Clarence and meet a guy who has not seen another person for 7 days... and thats in the peak holiday period. another route. You could Start at Lake Tennyson > Upper Clarence > Paske Saddle > Rainbow River > Rainbow road (Wairau-Hamner Springs Hyrdo Road). Then you could either Hitch Hike, Walk or hide bikes to get back to Lake Tennyson. Have not done Paske Saddle, but this trip should be doable in 2-3 days.

"another route. You could Start at Lake Tennyson > Upper Clarence > Paske Saddle > Rainbow River > Rainbow road (Wairau-Hamner Springs Hyrdo Road). Then you could either Hitch Hike, Walk or hide bikes to get back to Lake Tennyson. Have not done Paske Saddle, but this trip should be doable in 2-3 days." Sounds good, but instead of hitch hiking or biking, we could turn around and walk back the way we came. Ever noticed that if you do a route in the opposite direction that it is completely different?

The Hamner/Rainbow Hydro road is pretty rough for a car. You could safely leave the car at Lake Tennyson, then tramp up the Clarence, over Belvedere Pass into the East Sabine, down to West Sabine hut, on to Blue Lake, over Waiau Pass, then back over Maling Pass to your car.

Hamner/Rainbow should be ok up to tarnsdale for a typical car, vehicles near a bit of clearance past there.