Best Mountain Bike Trails in Wakatipu Basin

OPEN

Easy

8.2m

47m

-88m

28h 25m

Part of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride - Grade 2 cycle trail leading from Arrowtown out to the Gibbston Valley. Generally flat terrain beside the beautiful Arrow River makes this trail popular with families and walkers - take care especially on the 'Millenium Trail' section near Arrowtown. Cross numerous bridges and the spectacular Edgar suspension bridge on your way out to the historic Kawarau Bungy Bridge, home to the original AJ Hackett Bungy center.

OPEN

Easiest

1.5m

65m

-4m

Short section of paved link trail between Wharehuanui Trail and Shotover Gorge Trail, which continues along Atley Road and onto the 'Sutherland Track' beside Gorge Road, leading to downtown Queenstown. After leaving Arthurs Point, the trail shares the single-lane Edith Cavell bridge and a short section of road with narrow shoulders, before becoming a separated bike path.

OPEN

Easy

11.9m

147m

-230m

43h 53m

Part of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride - leaves the Old Lower Shotover Bridge and continues upstream before a short steep climb to Domain Road. Trail then follows through rolling countryside and quiet country lanes past Lake Hayes (Take junction at Rutherford Road). Another steep climb up Sharp Rise (Christine's Hill) leads into Millbrook Resort, a great place for coffee at the Hole-in-One café. Take the new Wharehuanui Trail to Arthurs Point, or continue to Arrowtown past the restored Chinese Village from the Goldrush era to meet the Arrow River Bridges Trail at Butlers Green.

OPEN

Intermediate

526m

42m

-1m

Access into the Lower Shotover Trail from Domain Road, follows the fence line and drops steeply through pines to the beach beneath the sand cliff slip. Please stick to the marked trail, rare bird nesting sites on the river gravels.Lower Shotover Trail becomes impassable in flood events, be prepared for wet feet after storm cycles.

CLOSED

Easy

6.2m

37m

-33m

25h 59m

Start of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride, linking the Queenstown Gardens to Frankton Beach and the Kawarau Falls Bridge. Forms part of the Queenstown Marathon course, and popular with commuters, bikes, runners, walkers -Options to connect with Water taxis at Frankton Marina, and don't miss the scones at the Boatshed café

Intermediate

6.2m

155m

-166m

37h 51m

Starting from Jardine Park, the Jacks Point Trail weaves along the shore of Lake Whakatipu with amazing views to the South and West. The trail is narrow in places with several short pinch climbs. A recent upgrade by Queenstown Trails and QLDC has improved the surface and water management, with new switchbacks at the Jacks Point end to eliminate the steep section. Drop down Lodge Road to the Jacks Point Clubhouse beside Lake Tewa for a well-earned coffee.

Easy

3.9 km

89m

-91m

9h 29m

Easy loop through the native bush at Jardine Park, berms and easy gradient giving some good progression from the pine loop benefits from some pumping.

Easy

911.9m

18m

-19m

3h 48m

Short, kid friendly trail in Jardine Park winding through the pine trees

OPEN

Easy

9.3m

146m

-108m

25h 38m

Starting at the Kawarau Falls Bridge, shared use gravel trail following the shores of the Kelvin Peninsula to Kelvin Grove. Stunning views and a number of sculptures around the golf course. Trail splits into a technical biking or walking trail along the lake edge, or take Peninsula Road to get to Jardine Park and onwards to the Jacks Point Trail.

OPEN

Easy

7.8m

86m

-87m

25h 22m

Lake Hayes Track circuits the Lake, popular with walkers, dogs and locals its a good 8km ride early in the morning before too much traffic. Its can be joined / accessed from several locations around the lake. Rutherford Rd provides a good link to QT Trails and Millbrook.