Best Mountain Bike Trails in Tunnel Gully (Pakuratahi Forest)
Tunnel Gully is Wellington's premier mountain biking destination featuring seven intermediate trails set in Pakuratahi Forest near Upper Hutt. The area combines volunteer-built single track, forestry tracks, and 4WD access roads through native bush and planted forests, with historical connections to the 1875 Mangaroa Tunnel and Remutaka railway line. The growing trail network connects to the popular Remutaka Cycle Trail and offers picnic facilities, water, and toilets.
Trails
Showing 1 - 10 of 32 trails
Advanced
656m
35m
-5m
6h 15m
250 East Climb follows an old logging trail previously left to be reclaimed by the forest. It has been cleared by hand and links to the downhill section of 250 East. The trail can be accessed by riding down Taniwha and turning left at the bottom intersection (left = 250 East Climb, right = Bee Line). Alternatively, it can be accessed by pushing up Bee Line, but keep your ears open as that is downhill primary and riders take it at speed with nowhere to bail out. There are plans for a climbing trail at a later date.At present, 250 East Climb is an Advanced/Expert rated climb with 4 creek crossings, and multiple muddy rutted sections. The last creek crossing is right before the last climb which is steep, super steep, if you can climb it then you're an absolute weapon. There are future plans to make this track an easier climb, but we'll get to that once we've finished having fun on 250 East DH. It'll never be an easy (green) or intermediate (blue) climb though.
Advanced
670m
-89m
7h 1m
250 East DH is a hand built Grade 4 to 5 track built by NtrailZ. It a can be accessed by pushing up Bee Line or coming down Taniwha and taking a left at the bottom onto the climbing section of 250 East.It has a good representation of all types of riding, with steep technical switchbacks at the top, leading into flowy single track interspersed with steep roll ins, rooty corners, rock gardens and a few jumps dotted around the place.
Intermediate
369m
7m
-25m
Even though the name implies otherwise, 250 East Extension was the first of the three sections to be built. It starts by turning left at the bottom of 250 East DH instead of right which will take you back to the fire road. A few gentle ups and downs lead into a steep steep climb then a short traverse across a benched ridge then bomb back down to the fire road.
Intermediate
1.1m
1m
-101m
9h 59m
This is a fast but relativity easy piece of single track through the bush. It starts off the Goat Rock (Four Climbs) forestry road. Riders should keep and eye out for the tree across track not far past the Bees to Bridge intersection. You can get under it while still on the bike and at speed, so long as you use the deep rut on the left side of the track. Keep in mind this off camber section is all clay based, so is slippery as hell in wet conditions. There are two groups off working Bee Hives on this trail, hence the name 2 Bee Line. First is just prior to the Bees 2 Bridge intersection, and the second about 3/4 of the way down. Usual story, don't piss off the Bees and they won't piss you off.
Advanced
1.2 km
-172m
1h 29m
Long predominantly straight piece of single track that links to the bottom of Taniwha. Quite rocky in parts, with a lot of ruts most likely cause by horses, and their weird horsey owners. The exit of this trail has been re-routed and is now downhill only. New switchback climbing trail has been built right next to this.
Advanced
618m
-108m
3h 51m
An more advanced trail to Bee Line taking you back to Station Drive. The hand built trail pass through pine and punga Forrest on its way back to Station Drive.The last section of the trail has an A Line a B Line. The A Line takes a sharp lift and features 2 steep rolling drops out to the exit. The B Line is straight ahead where the A Line turns off and features a sweeping turn to the exit.The exit of the trail is on to Station Drive which is a multi use track. Exiting the trail should be at a slow and controlled speed.
Intermediate
469m
52m
5h 40m
New climbing trail to connect to 250 East, which was previously accessed via 2 way trail Bee Line. Bee Line is now downhill only.
Advanced
515.7m
5m
-52m
1h 25m
---------------------------------------------------RIDE IT WHILE YOU CAN------------------------------------------- Soon to be destroyed due to forestry work. A fun short track full of jumps (for those who jump) and a nice steep set of switch backs at the end to finish it off
Advanced
558m
8m
-14m
2h 37m
The completely re-built Flow K. Starts by traversing along the side of the hill with a few ups and downs and some steep switchback climbs before linking up with Half Flow all the way to the bottom.
Intermediate
309.5m
-47m
1h 21m
Fast, flowing downhill only trail through the pines. Steep rolling drop at the end quickly followed by a small table top, both of which are easy enough to hit. A new lower section called 'G-Drop Extension was added last year (2016). This isn't as flowing, but can still be taken at speed.