The Tasman District is home to world-class cycle trails suited to all types of riding – from the Richmond Hills Trails to Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park, with its perfectly sculpted single track and downhill trails, to Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, a purpose-built family-friendly cycle trail that is part of the National Cycleway.
Directions: Follow State Highway 60 up Takaka Hill and take the turnoff to Harwood’s Hole.
Description: 2+ hours. Moderate fitness and intermediate technical skills required.
The Rameka track is included in the 101 Must-Do's for Kiwis compiled by the AA to showcase the best New Zealand attractions.
This is an excellent ride with great views.
It is mainly downhill and mildly technical, and will suit those who have some experience of mountain biking, particularly single track riding. The ride starts at about 800 metres (3000ft), and can be cold, although the ride itself is relatively sheltered, in tall native bush. We suggest that apart from your normal riding clothing you should have a polypropylene or wool t-shirt and a windbreaker.
The Information Centres in Motueka and Takaka will be able to provide information on buses that can drop you and your bike at the turnoff. If the logistics of getting back to the car are too much, there is great riding that also starts at the Harwood's Hole carpark on the Canaan Downs tracks.
Directions: The Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park is 13km from Motueka. From Motueka, head towards Kaiteriteri Beach and take the turnoff to the left at the bottom of Kaiteriteri Hill towards Kimi Ora.
Description: 1+ hours (can take as long as you want, as there is an extensive choice of tracks that cater for all abilities). The Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park has great views of the iconic Kaiteriteri Beach and Tasman Bay beyond.
The bike park is set in a mix of pine and native forest in 180 hectares of land bordering the holiday beach settlement of Kaiteriteri.
The park includes a pump track, a number of long easy trails, and several challenging ridge runs.
There is a good map at the start of the trails so you can see where you’re heading. With easy tracks to the more advanced, this is a great destination for the whole family or group of friends.
Directions: From Richmond travel west along State Highway 65 towards Motueka. Turn right onto Redwood Road and continue to Rough Island and Moturoa/Rabbit Island as signposted.
Can be joined immediately on reaching Rough Island. This section of the Great Taste Trail follows Ken Beck Drive to the Front Beach Reserve on Moturoa/ Rabbit Island, and continues west along Mapua Road meeting the ferry crossing point at the western end of Rabbit Island.
Refer to on trail signage for additional details.
A family-friendly grade 2 track suitable for learner and intermediate riders accessed from Ken Beck Drive or Conifer Park. It provides a 9km loop via Bird Road around the western part of Moturoa/Rabbit Island, or a shorter 5.5km loop via Tawa Road. The Moturoa Forest Track traverses pine plantation and follows the edge of the estuary along established forestry tracks. The track is generally flat with some soft sandy spots. Grade 2 indicates the track is suitable for all levels of riders.
Conifer Park is located at the western end of the Moturoa/Rabbit Island Front Beach Reserve. From Ken Beck Drive turn left on to Cooper Road, which soon becomes gravel, and continue to the Conifer Park entrance.
Conifer Park contains a 2km formed mountainbike track for beginner (grade 2) which turns and twists amongst the pine trees. Continuing on in the forest from Conifer Park is the marked Moturoa Forest Track.
Directions: Start at Easby Park, Marlborough Crescent. Richmond.
Description: Best suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
A good steady climb to the top starts at Easby Park, up Escalator (grade 3) to the Big Skid. From there you can continue up to the ridge top on the road. Once at the top there are grade 3, 4, 5 options to ride back down. For more advanced riding the current favourite track is the Grade 4 and 5+ Hang 10 and Berm Monster downhill track, which offer some big jumps and obstacles.
There are a set of less technical tracks, including the grade 4 Kingsland Rail which connects on to Terminus, then Lodestone Gully.
There are maps at Easby Park and at the Big Skid, as well as good signage at intersection points.
Directions: Access is from the western end of Champion Road.
Description: Silvan Forest is a privately owned forest, made accessible for recreational use by its generous owners. There are multiple trails to choose from, suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
There is good trail map at the start, or maps are available at www.mtbtrailstrust.org.nz/silvan-forest.
Tracks are graded using the Department of Conservation Mountain Bike Track srading system
Grade 1. Easiest. Fairly flat, wide, smooth track or gravel road.
Grade 2. Easy. Mostly flat with some gentle climbs on smooth track with easily avoidable obstacles such as rocks and potholes.
Grade 3. Intermediate. Steep slopes and/or avoidable obstacles possibly on narrow track and/or with poor traction. There may be exposure at the track's outside edge.
Grade 4. Advanced. A mixture of long, steep climbs, narrow track, poor traction and obstacles that are difficult to avoid or jump over. Generally exposed at the track's outside edge. Most riders will find some sections easier to walk.
Grade 5. Expert. Technically challenging. Giant climbs, narrow track and numerous hazards including dangerous drop-offs, sharp corners and difficult obstacles. Expect walking and possibly bike carrying.
Local bike shops and websites have further information for more advanced rides, or you can try these websites:
For further information about mountain bike trails in Tasman contact:
Community Partnerships Co-ordinator, Tasman District Council, Mike Tasman-Jones
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