One of New Zealand's best-known paralympians is proposing a South Island cycle trail, saying it could be a big boost for earthquake-damaged areas.

Photo: manuel ferrigato

The proposed Hurunui Heartland Cycle Tour would connect Christchurch to Kaikōura, following a 220-kilometre inland route.

Climber and paralympian Mark Inglis said the proposed route would take cyclists through areas devastated by last year's 7.8 magnitude Kaikōura earthquake, giving a much needed contribution boost to regional tourism.

Mr Inglis is developing the project on behalf of the Hanmer Heritage Forest Trust.

"The whole aim is to encourage growth... to spread out that load of tourists that we have, when there's so much discussion at the moment and controversy around how tourists are overloading certain areas while what we need to do is to give them a good reason to go somewhere else."

Mr Inglis said the project would cost less than $100,000, and would use existing roads.