Is it Possible to Bike Around Niue?
The short answer to whether you can cycle around Niue is yes. However, you might not want to. Niue’s main road around the island is a little over 60 km (37 mi), which in the tropical heat while likely wanting to spend the time exploring some of the amazing coastal attractions as you go, can be a tiring mission. However, with the introduction of e-bikes on the island, the annual “Ride the Rock” cycling race around the island, or just being an eager cyclist, you may still want to challenge yourself to cycle around an entire island! Learn more about the road that goes around Niue, how long it takes to cycle and alternative bike trails in the guide below.
For more cycle chat, take a look at 10 Tips for Cycling in Niue, which also gives tips on how to deal with those pesky dogs on the roads.
5 Quick Tips for Cycling Around Niue
Before we get into a more in-depth guide to cycling around Niue, here are a few quick tips worth knowing:
- Don’t underestimate the distances – Niue is an island with a landmass of 260 km² (101 mi²). For cycling around, that’s pretty huge!
- There are plenty of bike rental options between rental companies and accommodations with bike hire; see Cycle Niue: Where to Rent Bikes in Niue
- Watch out for dogs on the road – If some start chasing you, it’s best to stop and shoo them away
- Bear in mind the heat when planning your ride – Although you might be used to riding long distances, take into consideration the extra exertion it takes to ride in the tropical heat; see Niue Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month.
- Avoid cycling at night – There is very limited street lighting and rental bikes are not kitted out with lights to make you more visible to others.
More handy tips can be found in The Guide to Cycling & Mountain Biking in Niue. Otherwise, continue scrolling to learn more about cycling around the island of Niue.
(c) M. Crawford - Niue TourismCycling the Main Ring Road of Niue
When looking for whether you can “cycle around Niue”, you’re probably referring to cycling around Niue’s main road that circles the island close to the coast. This road in its entirety is 64 km (40 mi).
The main road around Niue is paved. With lots of potholes, however, the road is suited to both mountain bikes and e-bikes but not road bikes.
The elevation is minimal on Niue’s main road, taking you from 28 m (92 ft) above sea level to only as high as 63 m (207 ft) above sea level. In short, uphill struggles are limited, making the main road around the island pleasant to cycle.
The road passes through the island’s 14 villages, where only Alofi, Tamakautoga, Lakepa, Hakupu and Tuapa have places to stop for refreshments when they are open (see The Guide to Food in Niue and The Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Niue). So bear this in mind when planning your trip; ideally, you want to take enough drinking water and snacks for the whole ride.
© Niue TourismHow Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Niue?
How long does it take to cycle approximately 60 km of the main road around Niue? Well, this depends on many factors, from your cycling speed to the quality of your bike to how often you want to stop. To give a ballpark figure on cycling times around the island, here are a few speed and time calculations for travelling 60 km without stopping:
- Speed: 12 kph (7.5 mph) = 5 hours
- Speed: 15 kph (9 mph) = 4 hours
- Speed: 19 kph (12 mph) = 3 hrs 10 mins
- Speed: 25 kph (15 mph) = 2 hrs 25 mins
- Speed: 27 kph (17 mph) = 2 hrs 15 mins
Keep in mind that Niue can get really hot. What’s more, you’ll be on holiday, so while most people would consider a speed of 15 kph (9 mph) to be a decent pace, you may want to stop along the way and enjoy the journey. Therefore, plan accordingly and make it a 5, 6 or even 7-hour outing.
For more cycling distances around Niue, including between its main villages and destinations, take a look at The Cycling Times & Distances in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comBike Tracks in Niue
A four-hour bike ride around the island might be a little much for some, but luckily, Niue has five official bike tracks which are loops (begin and end in the same place) ranging from 30 minutes to two hours to cycle. These can easily be joined to create longer routes if you wish.
Bike track maps can be picked up from the Visitor Information Centre in Alofi. What’s more, the parts of the bike trails that venture off the main road are well-signposted, so it’s hard to go wrong.
Check out The 5 Best Bike Trails in Niue for a description of each of the bike tracks.
More About Cycling Around Niue
That’s it for our quick guide to cycling around Niue. For alternative ways to traverse the island, check out our Niue Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Niue. Otherwise, here’s more information to help with your dream of cycling in paradise:
- The Cycling Times & Distances in Niue
- Cycle Niue: Where to Rent Bikes in Niue
- 10 Tips for Cycling in Niue
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Cycling & Mountain Biking in Niue.
