Riding high on the edge of your seat
Keen riders Sarah Bennett and Lee Slater know where to find the the best singletracks guaranteed to provide the biggest thrills.
New Zealand’s Great Rides have something for everyone, and that includes fans of singletrack. Many classic mountainbike rides now form part of New Zealand Cycle Trails alongside new, purpose-built tracks.
From old-school off-camber to state-of-the-art berms and turns, here’s where to get into the singletrack groove.
The Old Ghost Road
A legendary feat of trail building has created what is widely touted as New Zealand’s ultimate backcountry singletrack. It’s an epic 85km trail snaking through remote valleys and over a spectacular range boasting vast panoramas.
The Old Ghost Road (grade 4-5, advanced-expert) links an abandoned goldmining route with a purpose-built singletrack for challenging riding, from fast and flowing to tight and technical, with plenty of obstacles to dodge.
Pakihi Track
Originally a pack track cut in the early-1900s, the Motu Trails’ Pakihi Track (grade 4, advanced; 3-4 hours) has always been popular.
Starting at 580 metres above sea level and finishing near the coast, it’s best cycled with a shuttle drop-off at the top, although hardy riders can reach it via the historic Motu Rd. The first half of the 20km trail twists and turns through magical native forest.
Tucked away in the bush, Pakihi Hut is a good place to take a break. The stunning lower section follows the beautiful Pakihi Stream to the road end, from where it’s another 24km on quiet roads back to O¯ po¯ tiki.
Queen Charlotte Track
Another classic New Zealand mountainbike track, the Queen Charlotte (mainly grade 3-4, intermediate-advanced) blends stunning Marlborough Sounds scenery with a raft of great services – bike-friendly boat transport, comfortable lodges and pretty campsites, and resorts with food and cold beer.
There’s also the chance for swimming, kayaking, bush walking, and bird spotting. The clincher, however, is the cycling. This trail has some of the most scenic singletrack in the country, tracing ridges, sweeping around bays and cutting through fragrant beech forest.
Coppermine Trail
Best left to fit off-road riders, the Coppermine Trail (grade 3-4, intermediate-advanced) starts on the lower slopes of Nelson’s Codgers Mountain Bike
Park, which is worth exploring as an add-on or another day’s adventure.
After a steady climb up an old tramway line, riders reach Coppermine Saddle to begin one of the most exhilarating blasts on any Great Ride – a 10km, 760m fast-forward descent, complete with thrilling corners and plenty of bermed swoops.
Mangapurua Track
Thanks to its challenging ride, remote air, fascinating history, and the natural grandeur of Whanganui National Park, this section of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail was a classic backcountry MTB adventure long before the full Great Ride was created.
The Mangapurua Track (grade 4, advanced; 4-7 hours) is an epic day out for experienced, wellequipped mountainbikers, best started early so you have enough time to immerse yourself in the Mangapurua Valley’s history and still make your jet boat pick-up. The downriver zip to Pipiriki is an invigorating way to end the ride.
Timber Trail
Once the realm of hardcore trampers and hunters, this deep wilderness can now be explored on a series of old logging roads and tramlines linked with purpose-built trail and thrilling suspension bridges.
While there are stretches of great singletrack all along the 85km, grade 2-3 (easy-intermediate) Timber Trail, the best bits are arguably on the first section, Pureora to Piropiro, winding up and across the flanks of Mt Pureora.
It does involve a bit of puff and some mud in the wet, but plenty of flowing riding makes up for it.
Great Lake Trail
Almost all of this 83km, grade 3 (intermediate) trail is smooth singletrack, over free-draining volcanic terrain with just enough hill climbs, loose rocks and mud to keep you focused. The big distraction is super-sized scenery.
Winding around the northwestern corner of Lake Taupo¯ , and looking out over Tongariro National Park, the trail features lush forest and wetlands, waterfalls, beaches, a striking gorge, and ever-changing views from elevated lookouts. Stop often to soak it all in.
Kaiteriteri MTB Park
Along with sweet scenery, the Motueka to Kaiteriteri section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail delivers coffee, French pastries, Ginger Dynamite pies, fresh local fruit, and even beer brewed from hops grown within view.
The trail also takes a shortcut to Kaiteriteri Beach via the awesome Kaiteriteri MTB Park. The main trail is relatively easy and can be completed by most riders, but those looking to burn off the pastries can head into the hills on more than 30km of terrific trail, graded easy to expert.
The 31⁄2km Jaws trail swooping down from near the lookout is a grin-inducing highlight. Then cruise down to the beach for a cooling swim.
This article first appeared on the Nga¯ Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails website.
Visit nzcycletrail.com for more information on all 22 Great Rides, Heartland Rides and bikepacking routes around New Zealand.