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On Your Bike NZ, Monday August 29, 2016
Discover a wide range of scenic landscapes
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Southland W
ITH SOME of the premier cycling trails and mountain bike tracks in the country, riders can meander through high country farms, scenic lakes, rivers, forests and diverse landscapes. The fact that Southland boasts the second-largest proportion of recreational cyclists of any region speaks volumes about the wealth of roads and tracks criss-crossing southern terrain.
The Around the Mountains Trail boasts some of New Zealand’s most secluded and rustic rural settings.
INVERCARGILL & BLUFF The mountain bike tracks out at Sandy Point Recreation Reserve is a crosscountry rider’s dream. There is over 15km of grade 2-3 fast flowing single track. This is split up into 17 different trails with names such as Big Mac, Al Baby and Dogs Dinner which feature jumps, seesaws, ramps, balance logs and a pump track. For those with a downhill addiction head to Bluff where it’s all rock’n’roll with trail names such as ZZ Top, Weezer and The Fixx. Most trails are grade 3-4 with one 1.4km grade 5-6 for those top end riders.
AROUND THE MOUNTAIN The Around the Mountains Trail allows cyclists an opportunity to explore and discover 186km of some of
BALD HILL Rip through Longwood forest to the top of Bald Hill which has some of the best views in Southland of Stewart Island and Fiordland National Park. This 47km mountain bike track is grade 3 and alternates between four wheel drive roads and single track. New Zealand’s most secluded and rustic rural settings at a relaxing pace without sacrificing the comforts of home. The trail starts at Kingston and winds its way through delightful northern countryside, taking in the townships of Garston, Athol and
Lumsden along the way. It then tracks west towards Mossburn before meandering up to Mavora Lakes, through the picturesque Von Valley, Mt Nicholas Station and concluding at Walter Peak Station on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. With most of the trail being grade 2, it is suitable for the whole family.
Grasp life by the handle bars #mysouthland NORTHERN SOUTHLAND
Ben Arthur
drive from Queenstown or a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Invercargill. There is rustic hut or luxury tent accommodation along the trail and some technically engaging grade 3 tracks.
WELCOME ROCK Welcome Rock Trails prides itself on being a premier private hiking and mountain biking trail that offers historical and ecological guidance. Here you will find a hand-built trail located within remote, native, high country farmland that is cloaked in stunning scenery. It is a one-hour
GORE Opening at the end of spring, the Hokonui Water Race Trail is an 8km, grade 2-3 mountain bike track that winds through the native bush around Dolamore Park following an old water race. This area is also home to the MLT Moonshine Trail Event held in February each year with 30km, 39km and 42km races.