It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those up for the challenge the Milford Mountain Classic is likely to be the ride of a lifetime.

The hardy souls who saddle up for the annual challenge are treated to magnificant vistas of Fiordland National Park – a region described as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Resisting the urge to stop and admire the view could prove the hardest thing about racing through the world-reknowned World Heritage Area.

Options include the 120km Classic starting under the shoulder of Mitre Peak, from Milford Sound to Te Anau; the Homer Hundred, a 100km ride to Te Anau starting at eastern end of the Homer Tunnel; or the Eglington Challenge, which clocks up 65km of breath-taking country before arriving in Te Anau.