Best bike trails in Queenstown

Summer is here, it’s time to dust off your bike and get out exploring all the epic trails in the region. Biking has become super popular in Queenstown and it’s fast becoming one of the top places in the world for cycling holidays. It’s no surprise really, who wouldn’t want to ride a bike through one of the most beautiful places on the planet?

Whether you’ve been before or if it’s your first visit to Queenstown for biking, we’ve put a list together of some of our favourite trails. From the easy trails, the whole family will love to the downright crazy hills that will get the blood pumping, there is something for everyone.

Station 2 Station Cycle Trail

Station 2 Station Cycle Trail is one of the most unique bike trails in Queenstown. This bike trail starts with a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Mt Nicholas High Country Farm, letting you enjoy some incredible views from the water before you jump on your bike.

The trail starts with a small climb behind the farm buildings and woolshed and one you’ve completed this, on t it is an easy to intermediate 14-kilometre trail along the western shores of Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. This is a self-guided, half-day trip that you can book with us and bike hire is available if needed. It’s a great ride for all abilities and an awesome way to explore a different part of Queenstown.

Queenstown to Kelvin Heights Bike Trail

The Queenstown to Kelvin Heights bike trail is the perfect ride for the whole family and starts in the centre of Queenstown. Start on the lakefront and bike around the gardens to join the Frankton Arm Track. Take in the views of the Remarkables as you ride alongside Lake Wakatipu.

The trail is flat and in total is just over 16 kilometres one way to Kelvin Heights. However, you don’t need to ride the entire way to enjoy this beautiful track! There are some great places to stop along the way to fuel up or turn around including locals’ favourite, the Boatshed Café in Frankton, or Stacks Pub at the Hilton Hotel. If you make it all the way to Kelvin Heights, you have the option to jump on the bus with your bike if you’re too tired to bike home.

Gibbston Valley Trail 

What could be more enjoyable than biking the famous Gibbston Valley Trail? This beautiful region is dotted with wineries and stunning views, and the best part is, you can turn this bike ride into a wine tasting adventure!

The trail starts at the world’s home of bungy, AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre. You’re spoilt for views with the Kawarau River to your left and Gibbston Valley vineyards to your right. The trail is an easy and mostly flat ride and is 8.7 kilometres one way. Make sure you keep an eye out for signposts for the various wineries along the way and be sure to sample some of Central Otago’s internationally-renowned pinot noir.

There are a few different options for transport to and from the start or end of the Gibbston Valley Trail, which means you don’t have to worry about driving after having a few wines along the trail.

Skyline Gondola to Queenstown Bike Park  

For the more advanced and adventurous riders, Queenstown has plenty of downhill mountain bike trails for you! One of the best places to get amongst the action is on the downhill trails of the Queenstown Bike Park, which can be accessed via the Skyline Gondola in the centre of town. Take the easy way up and enjoy the thrills as you come down.

Passes for the Skyline Gondola can be purchased for one to six runs, a full day, multiple days or the entire season! The Queenstown Bike Park trails are world-class and keen mountain bikers from all over the world come here, especially to ride them.

Biking on Coronet Peak 

Coronet Peak is one of the most popular ski fields in New Zealand. But once the snow melts and the skiers and snowboarders leave, Coronet Peak turns into a downhill mountain biking paradise.

The downhill trails here are super fun and have been built by the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club to be enjoyed by intermediate riders right up to experts! You can drive or take a shuttle up the access road to the base building of Coronet Peak, or put in the hard work and cycle up the road, so you feel like you’ve earned those turns on the way down.

From the base building, you can either cycle to the top of the mountain and ride the trails down or, between December and March, you can catch the chairlift. There are also trails running from the base building towards the bottom of the access road – a firm favourite among Queenstown locals is Rude Rock. This trail finishes halfway down the access road, and you can arrange a shuttle to take you back to the base building, or ride all the way down back to town for a well-deserved cold one!

7 Mile Bike Park 

The 7 Mile Bike Park is one of the best bike parks in New Zealand’s South Island. The park has awesome bike trails with lots of jumps, berms, rock rolls and more. The best part is that almost all of the harder obstacles can be sidestepped, meaning the bike park is perfect for all levels, including beginners who want to give downhill mountain biking a go.

The Queenstown Mountain Bike Club runs the 7 Mile Bike Park, and you can view more of the trails they maintain on their website

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or expert rider, Queenstown’s bike trails have something for everyone!

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