Aotearoa New Zealand has some of the top mountain biking trails in the world – from the north to the south you can discover New Zealand’s epic mountain biking scene.

1. Queen Charlotte Track Great Ride

Highlights

  • Ever-changing vistas
  • Natural & human history
  • Bush camps, homestays & lodges

Proximity

GRADE

Intermediate - Advanced

 One of Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, this track traces the bays, hills and ridges of the Marlborough Sounds, with resort stays, boat trips and water sports on offer.

2. St James Cycle Trail Great Ride

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

St James Cycle Trail Information

Highlights

  • Remote wilderness
  • Spectacular alpine scenery
  • Hanmer Springs spa town

Proximity

GRADE

Easy - Advanced

Traversing historic St James Station near Hanmer Springs, this challenging high-country trail rewards riders with vistas of soaring peaks, alpine meadows, beech forest, tranquil lakes and crystal clear rivers.

3. Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride

Highlights

  • Excellent single track in forest
  • Shuttle transport for uphill
  • Café, info centre & skills area at start

Proximity

GRADE

Easy- Expert

To see why Rotorua is widely rated one of the world’s best mountain biking meccas, look no further than these legendary trails threaded through towering redwoods and lush native bush.

4. Great Lake Trails Great Ride

Highlights

  • Vast lake and mountain views
  • Enchanting forest
  • Fun, flowing trail

Proximity

  • by car:

    20 mins from Taupō

GRADE

Intermediate

New Zealand’s largest lake backdrops Taupō’s all-season trail offering an irresistible mix of flowing terrain and changing scenes as it sweeps down to the shore and around the lake’s bays and rocky promontories.

5. 42 Traverse trail

Highlights

  • Volcanic scenery
  • Long, fun descents
  • Unspoilt rivers

Proximity

GRADE

Intermediate

One of New Zealand’s original mountain-biking must-dos, this descent-heavy cross-country trail follows long-abandoned logging tracks through forest within wheeling distance of Tongariro National Park.

6. Rude Rock Track

Highlights

  • Flowing singletrack
  • Sub-alpine terrain
  • Thrilling descent

Proximity

GRADE

Solid Blue Square (4)

 

The Rude Rock Track is a challenging, expert-level downhill trail at Coronet Peak, featuring technical rock gardens, steep drops, and tight corners. Known for its rough terrain, it's designed for experienced riders who enjoy high-intensity descents. The trail offers stunning views of Queenstown while providing an adrenaline-packed ride.

The Upper Rude Rock trail, accessible via the Coronet Peak uplift, offers a thrilling descent with steep, rocky sections and technical features for expert riders. After reaching the bottom, riders can transition to the Hot Rod trail, which provides smooth berms and jumps for a fun, high-speed finish. 

7. Old Ghost Road Great Ride

Highlights

  • Wild Mokihinui River
  • Spectacular ridge sections
  • Ghostly gold mining relics

Proximity

GRADE

Advanced

New Zealand’s longest single-track is also its ultimate wilderness epic – a multi-day journey in the West Coast following a hard-won route over rugged mountains that realised the abandoned dreams of old gold miners.

8. Heaphy Mountain Biking Track

Highlights

  • Kahurangi National Park
  • Native wildlife
  • Spectacular mountains & rivers

Proximity

  • by car:

    3 hrs from Nelson

  • by car:

     30 min from Collingwood

  • by car:

    1 hour from Tākaka

GRADE

Advanced

An unforgettable adventure through the remote wonderland of Kahurangi National Park(opens in new window) in Nelson, this ride takes in strange and ever-changing landscapes, with the bonus of staying in atmospheric backcountry huts.

9. Welcome Rock Trails

Highlights

  • High Country scenery
  • Historic and modern huts
  • Easy gradients

Proximity

GRADE

Intermediate

Snaking around a high-country hilltop in Southland(opens in new window), a historic water race has been extended by hand to produce a splendid single-track circuit with grand views and charming huts to stay in overnight.

10. Timber Trail Great Ride

Highlights

  • Ancient forests
  • Rich culture & heritage
  • Thrilling suspension bridges

Proximity

GRADE

Intermediate

Luring riders deep into the Pureora Forest Park in the heart of the North Island, this mixed-terrain trail features ancient trees, birdlife, thrilling suspension bridges and intriguing timber-milling relics.

Take a closer look at our top trails below

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