Mountain Bike Trails in Canaan Downs

Canaan Loop Track

This is a very scenic and fun recreational ride that suits a variety of riders. While the main track is recreational in grade, there are lots of side loops, ramps, drops and log rides to keep more advanced riders happy too. About 1.5 - 2 hours of riding that does require a little bit of fitness and endurance at times. The Abel Tasman National Park encompasses this area, and the surroundings are picturesque and stunning with awesome views, native bush, caves and sink holes. If making the venture this far in, its well worth the short walk down to Harwoods Hole. The ride starts with a climb up to the start of the Rameka Track which branches off to the left, then carries on through a slightly rougher section to Wainui Saddle. Here the track breaks away to the right and follows the contour of the valley around and down through some clever creek crossings and fun flowy track. Eventually there is another climb to the top of the hill and a fun decent back to the road, and then back around to the carpark.

Canaan Loop Track

Gold Creek Family Loop

This is an easy grade "Family" orientated loop. Not exactly a beginner loop, but still on the easy side with some great descending through some nice native stretches. There are two river crossings, so expect to come back with wet feet. Starting at the Harwood Carpark, start by following the track clockwise taking the left hand track when you go through the gate. The climb is up through grassy farm paddocks, and then around to the first creek crossing. You then follow down a farm road for a while before turning right into the bush and over the creek again. At this point you climb up a meandering trail through some pristine naive bush and come out onto a grassy top. A fast ride across the top and into the native bush again for a fun and windy ride back down to the carpark.

Pikikirunga Trail

Park in the car park slightly uphill from the trail head and ride short road section to access the trail. The Takaka Hill is an iconic road in the South Island of New Zealand. State Highway 60 reaches 791 meters above sea level. For local mountain bikers it has always been the Holy Grail, to create a mountain bike ride from the top of this famous New Zealand hill, all the way to the bottom on the Takaka valley side. The potential is huge. The concept is to realize that dream and create a truly iconic classic mountain bike experience that every mountain biker in New Zealand will need to ride. As the descent is 650 meters over some 8km we will build the track in three stages that join together to descend the whole hill. This approach will allow us to more effectively manage this large project, we can build and open each stage whilst we are planning for the next one. The Pikikirunga track will be a grade 3, descending, all-weather mountain bike single track that will allow a greater number of abilities to enjoy this epic 8 km descent. Stage One: A 3km section running Northwest from the Takaka Hill Saddle (Golden Bay side) and finishing 300m west of the highway. The route passes through the Takaka Hill Scenic Reserve for its whole length. The reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation. The Golden Bay Mountain Bike Club has been granted permission to build the track by the Department of Conservation and signed a community agreement to that effect on 15th December 2020.

The Rameka

A narrow, rooty, pedally, native forest singletrack with creek crossings that winds its way down toward Takaka. The first 5km of track rolls gently downhill with some pedalling required through rock garden sections and a few mostly rideable creek crossings. The last 1km of track loses elevation much more quickly. Links on to the Pack Track, Great Expectations and The Klicks. Well worth making a day out of it.