New Zealand
Looking for the best mountain biking in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Mountain Biking Spots in and near New Zealand
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Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike along Wanaka's Waterfall Creek Track
4.03.1 miThe Waterfall Creek Track is a well-formed track without any major undulations that can be enjoyed by foot or bike. It's family- and dog-friendly, and is perhaps the most heavily walked stretch of Wanaka's shoreline.Within the first few hundred meters along the Waterfall Creek track you'll come u...Read more -
Ben Lomond, New Zealand
Camp at Moke Lake
5.04.3 miThe drive to Moke Lake from Queenstown is only 14km but it takes about 30 minutes since you're on a dirt road for a good portion of it. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the campground that's on the southeast end of the lake...Read more -
The Neck, New Zealand
Hike Isthmus Peak
5.09.9 mi / 4544 ft gainThe Isthmus Peak Track is a 16km out-and-back hike to the summit of Isthmus Peak (1,385 meters), where you get great views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. The track starts off the Lake Hawea section of SH6, about a 30 minute drive from Wanaka Township, and there's a yellow 'I...Read more -
Christchurch, New Zealand
Bike and Hike the Port Hills (Christchurch)
5.0Park on the west side of Summit Road near Dyers Pass Road to unload your bicycle or start on the Crater Rim Track. Alternatively you can hike up from the valley on the (west to east) Bowenvale, Huntsbury, Mt Vernon, Rapaki or Bridle Tracks, all of which are shared use bike/hike tracks.Once you ar...Read more -
Cattle Flat, New Zealand
Hike the Minaret Burn Track
8.7 miThe Minaret Burn Track starts at the end of West Wanaka Road at Homestead Bay, which many tourists (and locals!) unknowingly drive past on their way to Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and/or the Rob Roy glacier. The start of the track is signposted and trail times to Colquhouns Beach (2-3 hrs; 7km) and...Read more -
Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand
Mountain Bike the Heaphy Track
5.058 miThe following are recommended rides along this track.Browns Hut to Perry Saddle: 3-4 hrs, 17.5 km (10.8 miles)This ride is mostly a steady uphill through beech forest. The Aorere Shelter is about halfway, and there is also a short detour to check out Flanagan’s Corner, the highest point on the tr...Read more -
Albert Town, New Zealand
Bike along the Clutha River
17.4 miThe Upper Clutha River track and Newcastle track can be joined to form a great ~28km loop that I highly recommend as a long run or a fun mountain bike ride. I suggest parking at the Hawea River swing bridge in Albert Town and starting off by going over the swing bridge to pick up the signposted N...Read more -
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hike or Bike the Karetai Track
2.5 mi / 656.2 ft gainThis track starts at the end of Tomahawk Road (by Smaills beach) and climbs 200 meters uphill over its 2km one-way length. The walking track ends at Karetai Road, so you could also start it at that end.The track provides amazing views of Smaills beach and the beautiful coastline further south. An...Read more -
Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand
Mountain Bike to Boundary Creek Hut
The track to Boundary Creek Hut follows an old 4WD track for about 9 km () with minimal height gain on the way in. Not long into the ride, you will pass another 4WD track with marker poles – this heads to the Garden of Eden (not the glacier one), so keep on the main track.About 2 km (1.2 miles) f...Read more -
Inangahua, New Zealand
Mountain Bike the Old Ghost Road
52.2 mi / 5577.4 ft gainThe Old Ghost Road is an intermediate-advanced backcountry single-track mountain bike trail in New Zealand. It takes 1-4 days to complete, with most people doing the ride in two days. It's in the West Coast region (the upper South Island) and runs from the historic mining settlement of Lyell in t...Read more -
Craigieburn Forest Park, New Zealand
Ride the Craigieburn Mountain Bike Trails
24.9 mi / 3937 ft gainBeing a cloudy and gray day in Christchurch, we decided to pack the bikes up and drive the 100kms on SH73 up to the Craigieburn Forest Park. There are several entrances to the tracks. You can either park up in the Castle Hill Village and enter the Hogs Back Track from there, or park in the Broken...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike or Bike the Glendhu Bay Track
9.3 miThis walk can also be started from the waterfront in Wanaka, which is only a few km from the track start above. From the car park, follow the track along the lake north. It is quite well marked and follows the coastline offering stunning views of the mountains on both sides of the lake. Dependin...Read more -
Picton, New Zealand
Mountain Bike Punga Cove to Anakiwa
27.7 mi / 1476.4 ft gainThe easiest way to get to Punga Cove to start this ride is parking in Picton and getting a water taxi for you and your bike out to Punga Cove. From there you will be able to pick up the track and start riding. At the end of the trip, after you reach Anakiwa, there is a water taxi there that can g...Read more