Best Mountain Bike Trails in Waimapihi Reserve

OPEN

Intermediate

1.1m

389m

-147m

13h 36m

Clinical passes through regenerating native bush and crosses some very steep slopes.The trail is designated 2 way for foot traffic and uphill only for cycle traffic.

OPEN

Easy

1.5m

52m

-25m

7h 14m

The track broadly follows the contours around the top of Polhill Reserve, producing an overall gentle gradient up from the northern end though with some somewhat steeper undulations along the way. Since December 2020 the track contains a bridge that passes over Ikigi allowing riders to access the end of Transient track.

OPEN

Intermediate

2.4m

27m

-196m

7h 55m

Brooklyn Trail Builders are pleased to announce that Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) is now open and ridable top to bottom. Ikigai is a Japanese word and roughly translates to the ‘realisation of the life one expects and hopes for’. This sums up many of the values the volunteers who built the trail aspire to. The trail took 2 years and 7 months of volunteer time to build.Please take care as Ikigai crosses three other trails when descending The crossings are signposted.Please note there will be ongoing tweaking, general maintenance and native tree planting on Ikigai. If you happen to be out riding and see an orange cone on the trail, a flashing light or a fluro vest hanging in your ride line, please slow down as someone will be working close by!

OPEN

Intermediate

635m

19m

-89m

3h 26m

Lower George Denton is a steep trail that runs from Holloway road to the junction with the upper end of Clinical. The Wellington City Council has installed signage using the George Denton name, instead of Squatters (old name for this trail) hence the update. This trail is open to foot traffic, so care is needed when descending on bike. Prior to the construction of the adjacent Clinical trail, Squatters was open to foot traffic only. Once Clinical is complete, Squatters will become a downhill direction only trail, to complete the up/down access for cycles on this side of Polhill Gully. Note that the trail is open to 2 way foot traffic.

OPEN

Intermediate

808m

-66m

10h 25m

The significantly revamped in 2020 and then again in 2024. As well described in the comments, it's probably the best jump trail in the Wellington region, with plenty of options for safely progressing skills. There are step downs and step ups, rollers, tables or various sizes and some gaps. There are sections that are easy to session and progressively build up skills and confidence. Excellent for a competent jumper and also someone who is starting to get the hang of it.There are b-lines on all the jumps, so is also safe and enjoyable for riders wanting to cruise down without jumping. Rollercoaster sits immediately east of Fenceline and above Highbury Fling. It starts just north of the entry to Ikigai and finishes about 800m later where it rejoins Fenceline near Highbury’s George Denton Park. Its location allows for magnificent views over Wellington city, the harbour and the ranges beyond

OPEN

Advanced

840m

-56m

3h 31m

Bike only way down to Aro Valley avoiding the last part of Transient (i.e no more walkers). Starts with a couple of reasonable jumps and winds down the valley via a series of bermed corners and man-made features. There's a big drop off half way down, avoidable if you take the right-hand line (this is also steep, but not vertical). Big props to Brooklyn Trail Builders who have turned what used to be a dump into a near perfect piece of singletrack.

OPEN

Intermediate

2.1m

692m

-126m

18h 6m

This two-way track was built to enhance bike access through Polhill Reserve along with Highbury Fling. This track greatly improves on the old, and very steep, Durham Street walking track that provides access to two radio antenna and joins up with the 4WD road off the end of Durham Street.Please note that as of June 6th, 2020, Transient will be UPHILL BIKES and two way foot traffic only, south (uphill) of the Karepa St Connector, where the bench seat is. This is because Ikigai, the new grade three descending trail, is now open. All downhill direction bikes should use Ikigai. Transient north/downhill from the Karepa Street Connector will remain 2 way to both bike and foot traffic.

OPEN

Intermediate

287.7m

16m

-41m

4h 35m

Upper George Denton is the section of trail between George Denton Park and the top of Clinical and Squatters. George Denton is open to 2 way traffic, both foot and cycle. This section of trail was previously a section of Squatters, however with the recent opening of Clinical it is more logical to have this section as a separate trail because of the different usage designation.