Happy trails around Hanmer
With more than 80km of trails surrounding the North Canterbury town, keen cyclist Sarah Bennett is in her element.
Hanmer Springs is pretty hard to beat for a biking holiday, as it has 80km of trails on its doorstep. The network expands and improves year on year thanks to locals firmly focused on ensuring there are rides for all abilities.
Whether you want to stay in the slow lane or keep progressing, it is all there.
The backdrop’s pretty gorgeous too, between Mt Isobel’s forested hillsides and the pretty rural plains ringed by ranges.
Just over the pass at the back of town are the Molesworth and St James high country stations, offering cross-country cycling adventures on an epic scale.
Once you’re done and dusted, soak it all out in the hot pools, and enjoy tasty hospitality in Hanmer’s cafes, restaurant and pubs. With all this on hand, it’s hardly surprising this town has become such a biking boomtown.
Easy riding in the forest
Hanmer Heritage Forest is a glorious place to explore. Originally planted as experimental forestry, it sports stands of century-old trees, including larch, norway spruce, alders and oaks.
For an introduction to its arboreal delights, check out the Forest Amble, a 20-minute loop walk featuring a series of wonderful sculptures hewn by Christchurch artist Andrew Lyons.
When you are ready to roll, the Easy Rider loop awaits. Taking less than an hour with plenty of options to shortcut or extend, it gently meanders through the forest flats and Dog Stream Reserve.
The reserve is home to the pump track, a fun challenge for riders of all ages and a good place to hone your skills out of the seat. Throw the kids on it while you chill out for a bit, or get stuck in and show them how it is done.
To take your turns and berms to the next level, check out the Snakes and Ladders trail nearby.
Looping all over the place through shady woodland, it will take you nowhere fast but you will love every minute.
Skills, swamp and swoop
If you like Snakes and Ladders, you will like the new Helix Track, near the main mountainbiking hub on Jollies Pass Rd, five minutes’ ride from town.
The trails through this part of the forest get more sporty as they climb Mt Isobel, but there is still plenty of stuff for mucking about, including the cool skills area near the car park.
Featuring a series of trail obstacles graded easy to expert, it is a great place to safely test your limits and give them a nudge.
Nearby is the Swamp and Swoop loop, a pleasant practice lap for those wishing to transition from easy to intermediate.