How Long Does it Take to Cycle in Niue?
Niue, indeed, is a small country. You can visit an array of attractions in a fun and eco-friendly way by hiring a bike. However, the country is still 260 km² (101 mi²) so distances can be deceiving, often taking longer than anticipated. Just so you have a good idea of how long it will take to cycle, we’ve put together this guide to the cycling times and distances in Niue.
For more advice on biking in Niue, take a look at The Guide to Mountain Biking & Cycling in Niue.
How Long Does it Take to Cycle Around Niue?
Cycling around an entire country in less than a day is an exciting prospect, but note that this feat is still a challenge. The main ring road around the island is approximately 60 km (37 mi) on pothole-riddled roads in tropical temperatures and perhaps some rain or at least a few chickens to negotiate. How long it takes to cycle around the island depends on how fast you can cycle, but to give you some indication, the approximate speed and time calculations for riding 60 km are as follows:
- Speed: 12 kmh (7.5 mph) = 5 hours
- Speed: 15 kmh (9 mph) = 4 hours
- Speed: 19 kmh (12 mph) = 3 hrs 10 mins
- Speed: 25 kmh (15 mph) = 2 hrs 25 mins
- Speed: 27 kmh (17 mph) = 2 hrs 15 mins
In other words, it takes approximately 2 hrs 15 mins to 5 hours to cycle around Niue, depending on your speed. A steady pace is 15 kph (9 mph), which makes it 4 hours to cycle around Niue for the average person. For a comparison of how long it takes to drive around the island, check out our Niue Travel Times & Distances.
For more details on what it’s like to cycle around Niue, as well as what challenges you may face, see Can You Cycle Around Niue?
(c) M. Crawford - Niue TourismCycling Times from Alofi
With some of Niue’s cycle rentals based in Alofi (see Cycle Niue: Where to Rent Bikes in Niue), it’s quite possible that you’ll be starting your bike ride from the capital. Here are some approximate times and distances to cycle to popular villages in Niue for cycling at a steady pace (15 kmh/9 mph)…
Alofi to –
(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Makefu – 6.5 km / 4 mi / 26 mins
- Namukulu – 10 km / 6.2 mi / 40 mins
- Tamakautoga (via the top road) – 8 km / 5 mi / 30 mins
- Lakepa (cross-island road) – 14.5 km / 9 mi / 55 mins
- Liku (cross-island road) – 15 km / 9.3 mi / 1 hr
- Hanan Airport – 3.5 km / 2.2 mi / 15 mins
- Avatele (via the top road) – 10 km / 6.2 mi / 40 mins.
Note that these times are for cycling at a steady pace without stopping. If want to take things slowly to allow for visiting attractions or just enjoying your island holiday, feel free to double these times.
For driving times to these locations, see The Driving Times from Alofi.
(c) niuepocketguide.comCycling Times for the Rest of Niue
The road circling the whole island is precisely 64 km (40 mi) where all of Niue’s villages are dotted along this road. While some villages are a short ride from each other, such as Makefu, Tuapa, Namukulu and Hikutavake, others are quite a distance.
Here are some approximate times and distances for cycling at a steady pace (15 kmh/9 mph) between Niue’s most popular village destinations…
Cycling Times from Namukulu
(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Namukulu to Makefu – 2.8 km / 6.2 mi / 10 mins
- Namukulu to Liku – 20 km / 12.4 mi / 50 mins
- Namukulu to Alofi – 10 km / 6.2 mi / 40 mins
- Namukulu to Mutalau – 10.5 km / 3.1 mi / 45 mins.
Cycling Times from Liku
(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Liku to the Togo Chasm – 6.5 km / 4 mi / 25 mins
- Liku to Alofi (cross-island road) – 15 km / 9.3 mi / 1 hr
- Liku to Lakepa – 5.5 km / 3.1 mi / 20 mins
- Liku to Hakupu – 10 km / 6.2 mi / 40 mins.
Cycling Times from Avatele
(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Avatele to the Togo Chasm – 12 km / 7.4 m / 50 mins
- Avatele to Tamakautoga – 2 km / 1.2 m / 8 mins
- Avatele to Alofi (via the top road) – 10 km / 6.2 m / 45 mins
- Avatele to Hakupu – 8 km / 5 m / 30 mins.
Cycling Times from Tamakautoga
(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)
- Tamakautoga to Hanan Airport (via the top road) – 5.8 km / 3.6 mi / 25 mins
- Tamakautoga to Alofi (via the top road) – 8 km / 5 mi / 30 mins
- Tamakautoga to Avatele – 2.9 km / 1.8 mi / 10 mins
- Tamakautoga to Hakupu – 10.9 km / 6.7 mi / 45 mins.
Note that these times are for cycling at a steady pace without stopping. If want to take things slowly to allow for visiting attractions or just enjoying your island holiday, feel free to double these times.
For driving times to these locations, see The Driving Times in Niue You Need to Know.
More About Cycling Times and Distances in Niue
That’s it for our guide to the cycling times and distances in Niue. For more tips on planning the perfect cycling holiday, take a look at the following guides:
- The 5 Best Bike Trails in Niue
- 5 Accommodations in Niue with Bike Hire
- 10 Essential Tips for Cycling in Niue
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Mountain Biking & Cycling in Niue.
