Best Mountain Bike Trails in Ashburton Lakes
The Ashburton Lakes offer a hidden gem mountain biking experience in the Canterbury High Country, featuring mostly grade 2 trails with gentle rolling terrain and smooth surfaces. Popular routes include the Lake Emma Loop with views of the Southern Alps through tussock grasslands, the Hakatere Heron Road Loop (26 miles, the longest in the area), and tracks along the Ashburton River. The area is perfect for high-country scenery combined with accessible, family-friendly riding.
Trails
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 trails
Easy
2.3m
129m
-140m
21h 22m
Route along the lower slopes of Dogs Range parallel to the Hakatere Potts Road with attractive views. The western section is a bit of a roller coaster through some small hills (a couple of which might require a push up). The eastern section is a fast ride across open plains on an old farm track. Part of Hakatere Conservation Park
Easy
341m
-17m
1h 18m
Link from Te Araroa to the Lake Clearwater circuit
Easy
8.8m
220m
-18m
95h 53m
Steady climb from 700 to 900m in amazing countryside.Includes a river crossing which was very straight forward in summer, use caution after rain.
Intermediate
1.4m
-97m
11h 31m
This track removes the push or ride directly down the fence line with a series of switchbacks up the Terrace, it is part of the Te Araroa Walkway and links to Mystery lake and also out to Paddle Stream from the Lake Clearwater huts.
Intermediate
5m
222m
-5m
76h 23m
A climb up to an attractive lake hidden in the foothills of Mt Arrowsmith. Follows an old 4WD track, much of it along an old fenceline. There are a few short washouts/boggy sections you may need to get of your bike for and a couple of short steep sections that may need a push. Part of Hakatere Conservation Park
Very difficult
6.9m
35m
-430m
64h 38m
Descent from Mystery Lake towards the Hakatere Potts Road. Follows an old 4WD track but this is highly eroded and/or overgrown in places, particularly in the upper sections. Some nice views into the Potts River canyon. Not recommended uphill. Some sections of walking.Part of Hakatere Conservation Park
Intermediate
5.7m
737m
-339m
95h 52m
The Paddle Hill Creek track takes you from the river crossing to the Boundary Creek Hut. It is mostly a 4WD track but is used by hikers and motorbikes as well as mountain bikers.
Intermediate
2.2m
1m
-84m
14h 19m
Used to be a narrow single track but was widened to 1m in 2021. An easy climb and mellow decent.