New Zealand’s diverse landscapes offer some of the most exhilarating mountain biking experiences in the Southern Hemisphere. From purpose-built flow trails winding through towering redwoods to remote backcountry singletrack that feels a world away from any form of civilisation, it’s a destination that rewards riders of all abilities.
Many of these rides form part of the Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, a network of 23 trails that showcase the country’s diverse landscapes. Some are best tackled over several days, while others can be sampled in an afternoon if you’re short on time. Along the way, you’ll pass through historic towns, ride alongside rivers, explore landscapes shaped by Māori history, and discover plenty of good food and local hospitality waiting at the end of the trail.
The riding itself is remarkably varied. The North Island is known for its fast, flowing dirt, geothermal landscapes, towering redwood forests, ancient native bush, and trails that weave through old logging routes and volcanic terrain. Head south, and the scenery changes again, with alpine passes, rugged coastlines, technical singletrack, and some of the most spectacular backcountry riding you’ll find anywhere.
The good news is that exploring it all has never been easier. A well-established network of shuttle operators, bike hire businesses, and tour providers makes it simple to ride everything from a quick day trip to a multi-day bikepack.
1. Whakarewarewa Forest Loop Great Ride
Duration: 1 day (36km) | Grade: Easy/intermediate
Rotorua is renowned as the spiritual home of mountain biking in New Zealand. While many riders head straight for the famous trail network, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop offers a different way to experience the forest. Winding beneath towering Californian redwoods, the ride links together smooth, purpose-built singletrack with quiet forest roads, passing native bush, steaming geothermal features, and glimpses across Rotorua’s volcanic landscape. It’s an easy ride to settle into, with enough flow to keep experienced riders entertained while remaining approachable for newer mountain bikers and E-bike riders.
2. The Timber Trail
Duration: 2 days (85km) | Grade: Intermediate
If you’re looking for a ride that feels like a proper backcountry adventure, The Timber Trail is hard to beat. Hidden away in Pureora Forest Park on New Zealand’s North Island, it’s a two-day ride that combines flowing singletrack, gravel forest roads, and old logging tramways through one of the country’s largest remaining native forests. The scenery is every bit as memorable as the riding. Ancient podocarp forest, big rivers, native birdlife, and relics from the region’s timber-milling history are all part of the experience, but it’s the bridges that really steal the show. The trail crosses eight suspension bridges, including the 141-metre Maramataha Bridge, which hangs 53 metres above a steep gorge and remains one of New Zealand’s longest suspension bridges.
3. Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride
Duration: 4-6 days (231km) including 32km jetboat ride | Grade: Easy-intermediate
Stretching from the slopes of Mt Ruapehu to the Tasman Sea, the Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride is one of the most ambitious. Rather than following a single trail, it links together quiet back roads, historic logging routes, backcountry singletrack, rail trails, and river tracks, creating a journey that changes character almost every day. The variety is what makes it so memorable. One moment you’re riding beneath the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, the next you’re winding through remote river gorges, rolling farmland, or native forest. Along the way, you’ll pass engineering landmarks like the Hapuawhenua Viaduct, remnants of New Zealand’s pioneering rail and logging history, and eventually reach the famous Bridge to Nowhere, hidden deep within Whanganui National Park.
4. Coppermine Trail Great Ride
Duration: 1 day (43km) | Grade: Intermediate
If you’re chasing a ride that packs plenty into a single day, the Coppermine Trail Great Ride just outside Nelson deserves a spot on the list. Starting just minutes from the city’s cafés and breweries, the trail quickly leaves suburbia behind, climbing through Codgers MTB Park before following the historic Dun Mountain Railway into the hills. The climb is steady rather than brutal, winding its way towards Coppermine Saddle at 878 metres above sea level. Once above the treeline, the trail opens up to expansive views across Nelson, Tasman Bay, and the surrounding ranges, with the exposed ridgeline adding a real alpine feel that’s quite different from many of New Zealand’s forested rides.
5. The Old Ghost Road
Duration: 2-4 days (85km) | Grade: Mostly intermediate-advanced
If there’s one ride that regularly appears on mountain bikers’ bucket lists, it’s The Old Ghost Road. Winding 85 kilometres through the rugged mountains of the South Island’s West Coast, this purpose-built trail has earned its reputation as one of the country’s great backcountry rides, blending flowing singletrack, technical descents, and spectacular scenery into a ride you’ll be talking about long after it’s over. Built along the route of an old gold miners’ trail between the ghost town of Lyell and Seddonville, the ride feels wonderfully remote from the outset. One moment you’re climbing through dense native forest, the next you’re traversing exposed ridgelines with views stretching across alpine tarns, deep river valleys, and rugged peaks.
6. St James Cycle Trail Great Ride
Duration: 1-2 days (60km) | Grade: Mostly intermediate
If your idea of a good ride involves big climbs, scenery, and the feeling of being a long way from anywhere, the St James Cycle Trail Great Ride delivers in spades. Starting just north of Hanmer Springs, this 60-kilometre backcountry ride cuts through the vast landscapes