If riding on your local trails gets your adrenaline pumping, imagine riding down a coastal single track or the face of a volcano in New Zealand. Mountain biking in New Zealand is one of the country’s hottest adventure sports, and new trails crisscross both islands all the time.
New Zealand’s mountain biking opportunities reflect the diversity of the country’s landscapes. Queenstown maintains its reputation for adventure in terms of downhills and speed—its bike park has been dubbed the “Whistler of the Southern Hemisphere.” Queen Charlotte in Marlborough is hard to beat for a single track, with outstanding trails and coastal scenery (not to mention the wine).
READ MORE: Here’s our community list of the best hikes in New Zealand
Together with our friends from Tourism New Zealand, we’ve compiled a list of the best New Zealand mountain biking trails available for the coming seasons, ranging from adrenaline-pumping mountain biking to relaxing family cycling to luxurious and indulgent food and wine forays on two wheels.
The best mountain biking in New Zealand
New Zealand is ideal for mountain biking, with world-class trails ranging from easy to difficult. If you enjoy speed and adventure, many of New Zealand’s Great Rides, as well as mountain bike parks and trails located throughout the country, will provide plenty of flow and fun.
There are amazing trails all over the islands, including Old Ghost Road, which is the country’s longest single-track and a multi-day journey on the West Coast. Another amazing trail is in the Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua, which is widely rated as one of the world’s best mountain biking trails in the world.
Queen Charlotte Track
This adventure-packed cycle trail traces its way around the magnificent Marlborough Sounds’ bays, hills, and ridges, making it one of New Zealand’s classic mountain bike rides.
It allows cyclists (and walkers) to explore the entire length of Marlborough Sounds, one of the region’s most scenic waterside areas. Starting at the historic Ship Cove in the outer sounds, the entire trail can be completed in 2-3 days. The trail then circles bay after bay, linked by saddles and ridges that provide breathtaking views. Overall, this trail is best suited to reasonably fit, experienced mountain bikers, but private trips can be tailored to riders of lesser ability.
St James Cycling Trail
A more offbeat and remote mountain biking in New Zealand experience through a historic high-country station is the St James Cycling trail. Once one of New Zealand’s largest cattle and sheep farms, it is now a designated conservation area. The cycling trail is an unforgettable journey enriched with stunning alpine vistas, mountain beech forests, and vast grassland valleys dotted with rustic farm buildings. The St James trail is most suited to fit experienced mountain bikers, the most eager of whom can complete the trail in one long (6–9 hour) day. A two-day trip, stopping overnight in campsites or one of three huts, will allow greater appreciation of the scenery.
Less experienced riders or those with insufficient time to complete the whole trail can get a great taste of it on the 15km Homestead Run loop.
Rotorua
Rotorua is one of the best places to go mountain biking in New Zealand, especially in the spring and summer. During the spring, Whakarewarewa Forest, the country’s best year-round mountain biking trail network, hosts an incredible bike festival. The region hosts the exciting four-day Rotorua Bike Festival every year.
Rotorua, located on the Pacific Rim of Fire, is a geothermal wonderland filled with bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs ideal for bathing and relaxing in. After marvelling at the unique landscapes and volcanic activity of a geothermal park, relax with a simple soak in a natural hot stream or indulge in a wellness retreat at a luxurious spa.
Rotorua is located in the heart of the North Island and serves as a gateway to other central destinations; it is less than two hours to the Mt Ruapehu ski fields and less than an hour to the nearest beach towns.
The Redwoods trail
The 5600-hectare Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotorua is also a mountain biking paradise. The Redwoods are located just south of the city centre and are made up of lush native bush, towering Californian Redwoods, and other exotic trees. More than 160 kilometres of expertly constructed single-track and forestry roads traversing volcanic, free-draining soil ensure awesome riding all year.
If you need an adrenaline rush, Redwoods has plenty of hardcore trails. Proceed to the National Downhill race tracks. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity. The amount of expertise required to take on this high-speed trail, as well as the amount of airtime, is insane! Redwoods is a mountain biking heaven on earth once you get used to the noxious odour of sulphur in the air.
Have we left out any of your favourite trails for mountain biking in New Zealand? Let us know in the comments and we’ll make sure to include in our upcoming lists.
