Mountain biking is an exciting way to explore New Zealand’s epic landscapes. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping flow trail or a cruisy ride along a historic rail trail, there’s something for every riding ability and experience level.

Rameka Track offers rocky and technical sections and wide open flowing terrain. It’s also home to some of the best Native Beech riding in the country.

Wanaka

In the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region is the beautiful town of Wanaka. This mountain biking destination offers the country’s best trails and breathtaking scenery. Mountain bikers can explore a range of courses that follow forest tracks, abandoned railways, and backcountry routes. Some ways are fast and flowing, while others are rocky and technical. There are also a variety of activities to enjoy outside of mountain biking, including skiing, hiking, and wine tasting. For quality mountain bikes, click here now.

One of Wanaka’s most popular MTB trails is the Old Ghost Road, which stretches from Wanaka to Mount Aspiring and passes through several historical sites. This trail is challenging and a great way to explore the area’s history. It takes four to five hours to complete the entire track, with an incline of around 2%.

For more advanced cyclists, the Neck Road bike trail is a must-do. This trail is a 50-kilometre loop that offers scenic views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. The course is also an excellent option for hikers and families. The track is well-marked, has several cafes along the route, and the Wanaka Warbirds Museum and Lavender Farm.

Located near Wanaka is the Cardrona Alpine Resort, which offers a range of snow activities and has a reputation for being one of the best places in the world to ski and snowboard. The resort has a wide range of trails and accommodation options, including lodges and huts.

There are several options for renting a bicycle in the area for those looking to explore Wanaka’s mountain biking trails without bringing their bikes. Distinction Wanaka offers a Stay & Bike Wanaka package with accommodation and two hours of bike hire. Outside Sports is another local business that rents bikes and has a wide selection of options for all abilities.

Alexandra

Alexandra is a bustling Central Otago town with all the modern facilities you’d expect from an urban centre. It is also home to some of New Zealand’s best mountain biking trails with diverse terrain and tracks for beginners looking for a cruisy lakeside path to avid riders ready to test their limits on the rocky alpine routes. For quality mountain bikes, click here now.

A favourite of locals is the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, a truly remote experience down the stunning and dramatic Roxburgh Gorge. The 34km (21 miles) trail can be enjoyed in one day with a jet boat connecting two sections or split into shorter rides. It is highly recommended that you book with a local cycling operator who can help with bike hire, shuttle services and itinerary planning.

The renowned Otago Central Rail Trail is another popular multi-day bike trail spanning 152km (94 miles) across the Central Otago region. Starting from Clyde and ending at Middlemarch, this trail showcases the best of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes with mountainous scenery, dry desert-like landscapes, farmland and quaint towns rich in gold mining history. It’s easy to do a day ride of this trail from either Clyde or Alexandra, and plenty of mountain bikes hire options are available, along with shuttle services and itineraries.

Central Otago is famous for its wine, and local vineyards are open to the public for tastings. Mountain views surround the region, boasting an ideal climate for growing premium wines and apples. More than ten boutique wineries are in the area, many offering cellar door experiences. For a relaxing wine tour of the region, check out Wine and Tussock Safaris or Vine2Wine Uncorked.

After all that cycling, you’ll want to sit down and relax with a glass of wine. Luckily, you can do just that in Alexandra, thanks to the town’s abundance of vineyards. You can visit them independently using the 10 Best Wineries of Alexandra guide or let someone else drive for you on a 4WD bespoke wine tour with Rock and Tussock Safaris.