Downhill biking
Welcome the the biking paradise where you’re going to be spoilt for choice on where to get your fix.
Check out the comprehensive list of the best downhill bike trails to suit your skill levels at Trailforks.com – click here to visit the Trailforks website
Queenstown Bike Park
You can see the Skyline Gondola & Queenstown Bike park from the balcony, just look to your right!
Ride up the hill with your bike attached to the Gondola cabin, then with over 30 world-class trails totalling over 30 kilometres in length and dropping 450 metres, all you have to do is ride. There’s something for all abilities making this easily one of the best places to ride your mountain bike. TIP: We highly recommend you hire yourself some body armour if you don’t already own your own.
w: www.skyline.co.nz
cost: $95 full day adult passes
Rabbit Ridge
Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort is located next to Gibbston Valley Winery and features more than 40 kms of trails suitable for all levels of riders.
A: 1820 Gibbston Hwy, Gibbston 9371, New Zealand
w: www.rabbitridge.co.nz
cost: $10 full day adult passes
Opening season: variable, closed during winter – check website for opening season
getting there: $35 return transport from Queenstown to Gibbston Valley Winery.
7 Mile Bike Park
All the trails are one-way, so generally you are riding up the main access trail and down the single tracks. The main arterial trail is quite difficult and a strenuous climb – probably rating at a high intermediate. You could walk your bike up this and find easier trails to come down if it is too hard.
7 Mile can be accessed either from 7 Mile Delta or Wilsons Bay (another two kilometres further on from Queenstown) both on the Glenorchy Road. The entrance from Wilsons Bay is much easier than the entrance from 7 Mile Delta, which has some sharp drops and roots systems to contend with.
A: 7 Mile Delta, Closeburn, on the Queenstown – Glenorchy Road
cost: free
Cadrona (in the summer season only)
Cardrona Alpine Resort is home to New Zealand’s highest mountain bike park. A wonderful place to spend the day enjoying the magnificent mountain air. For the adrenaline junky, the mountain carting at Cadrona comes highly recommended.
Base Area Elevation: 1670m Highest Lifted Point: 1860m Vertical Rise: 345m
Terrain: 345ha 15% Beginner 50% Intermediate 35% Advanced
you can get more information and check for opening dates and times at the Cadrona website – click here for the Cadrona webpage
Coronet Peak
Closer to home, you can also get your downhill fix at Coronet Peak , many visitors come just to bike the infamous Rude Rock trail. At this location there is also the Coronet Peak Bike Park – click here for more information and a like to their website.
The Coronet Peak Bike Park Open 9 Dec 2023 to 1 April 2024
They provide a Bike Shuttle services with the following pickup points
pickup at the base of The Station Building
10am daily at Duke St Hot Rod Trail (from 11am)
On the hour at Coronet Peak Station Rd Coronet Peak Rd
5 mins past the hour Carry On Trail
5 mins before the hour at Malaghans Rd
Trail or offroad Riding in the Queenstown area
There are too many to choose from!
We love the Moke Lake ride, where i’s always fun to cool down with a swim/dip in the lake (it’s much warmer than Wakatipu!).
Or head out to the Gibbston wineries and get a selfie at the at the awesome Edger suspension bridge (45m above the Arrow River) on the Arrow River Bridges Ride. It’s a long ride from the house but well worth it for the wine and cheese at the end!
Search for the perfect bike trail to suit your ability at the Queenstown Trails Trust website. – click here to visit the Queenstown Trails Trust website
Tip: if you’re not cycle fit, try renting an electric bike and go one way (the return transport is normally included in the price for the bike rental!)