10 great rides around Wanaka - MTB & Road

Download our Wanaka Track App to help you decide which track to ride and how to get there. Available on Apple and Android

1. Hawea River Track (MTB)

Suitable for all ages and experience, this 12km riverside track is over easy country and links Lake Hawea township to Wanaka, via Albert Town. Plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee and a treat! 

2. Newcastle & Upper Clutha River Track Loop (MTB)

By combining the Newcastle and Upper Clutha River Track you get a great loop track about 35km in length. With stunning views up and down the Clutha River, and plenty of places to stop for a beer or coffee, this is a good track for those looking for something a bit longer. 

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#newcastletrack #Wanaka #mtb #sundayvibes

A post shared by Rachel Lindsay (@rachel_a_lindsay) on Feb 10, 2019 at 1:07am PST

3. Glendhu Bay Track (MTB)

For spectacular lake and mountain views, it's hard to go past the 15km Glendhu Bay Track. The first section of the track is quite hilly with some short, steep sections and drop offs so is for intermediate riders only. Watch out for and give way to pedestrians. 

4. Sticky Forest (MTB)

This fun network of single tracks makes the best of the pine forest located within the Wanaka township. There are over 20 tracks to choose from for intermediate to advanced riders. To get some practise nailing those jumps - head to Lismore Jump Park. 

 

5. Deans Bank & Hikuwai Loop (MTB)

The Hikuwai Loop is about a 9km circuit depending on where you start and finish the track. Deans Bank is an 11km fast, flowing single track loop for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers with some great banks and berms.  

6. Cardrona Valley (MTB & Road bike)

In summer you can head up to Cardrona Alpine Resort for downhill biking and mountain carting, while across the valley on the Pisa Range are a number of tracks and even huts to stay in overnight. For road bikers, the 90km return ride to the top of the Crown Range offers a great workout as well.

7. Treble Cone return (Road bike)

The rolling terrain of Mt Aspiring Road makes for great road riding, with several fast flats which are irresistible for testing your sprinting legs. 45km, 1-2 hours return

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Challenge Wanaka bike recap: Running over the bridge to T1 my HR became elevated and I struggled to get it down when I started the bike. The first part of the course is undulating and I was making a conscious effort to try and stop my power spiking with each crest (unsuccessfully!). The first 30km flew by and as I started the leg out to Hawea my hips were aching! I felt incredibly tight and couldn’t comprehend how I’d manage to run. The words ‘brutal but beautiful’ were going through my head and as much as I tried to remain positive, enjoy the scenery, and keep my power consistent, it’s the first time I’ve genuinely wanted to quit!! I was in a world of hurt, power was much lower than it should have been, and I had nothing in the tank. Turns out what I actually had was a tail wind and I was back in town with some semi decent speeds and sitting quite steady within my AG despite feeling like rubbish. Onto the run feeling broken and battered. . . #raceday #challengewanaka #swimbikerun #ironmantraining #teamwyn2019 #wynrepublic #theendurancerepublik #infinitnutritionoz #gocustom #eatingscheating #warringahtriclub #wanakanz #lakewanaka

A post shared by Sarah D (@sjdeuchrass) on Feb 20, 2019 at 6:26pm PST

8. Lake Hawea Circuit (Road bike)

Generally, a flat or gently undulating ride, the 50km loop from Wanaka to Lake Hawea and back via Wanaka Airport is mostly on quiet, rural roads and includes great views of Lake Hawea. Maybe this is why it is a favourite with the locals.

9. The Neck (Road bike)

This must be one of the most spectacular road bike rides in New Zealand and offers epic lake and mountain scenery. Turn around at The Neck for an 80km return ride from Wanaka, or continue to Makarora and even Haast Pass for even more spectacular scenery and views of Mt Aspiring National Park. Warning: the road does get hillier from The Neck onwards! 

10. Tarras & Ardgour road loop (Road bike)

A fast, mostly flat ride through the Upper Clutha River valley and onwards to Tarras where you take a superb section of quiet, rural road and loop back around to Tarras. Luckily there is a great coffee stop here to help keep you going on this 95km ride.

Biking Events in Wanaka

If you need motivation to train or come to Wanaka then look no further than one of our biking events. Mountain bike events include the Motatapu, Contact Epic, Red Bull Defiance, The Big Easy and Deans Bank 10 Hour Challenge. While road cyclists can sign up to do a leg of Challenge Wanaka.