Auckland is home to hundreds of mountain bike trails. From family-friendly coastal rides on the North Shore, to challenging downhill trails in the South - there’s something for every rider.
And this summer the best way to explore our region’s diverse and scenic landscapes is definitely on two wheels. Here are five of the best mountain bike trails in our regional parks to get you started.
Discover many more great biking tracks this summer on the Auckland Council website too.
Tāwharanui
Tāwharanui Regional Park has it all. Picture-perfect white-sand beaches, coastal camping and leisurely bush walks. Most don’t know that this northern Auckland paradise also boasts a couple of super-scenic mountain bike trails through farms, with panoramic views over beaches and native bush.
The North/South Coast Track forms an easy-going 9km loop. The two-way farm tracks are also used by walkers, park vehicles and farm animals so please keep to the left on these tracks and be aware of other track users. Mountain biking is prohibited along bush-walking tracks but is allowed on bush vehicle tracks.
Waiheke Island
Auckland’s island of wine and luxury staycations has several mountain bike trails, one of which you’ll find at Whakanewha Regional Park. There’s an easy 5km loop track here that winds its way through mature coastal forests and lush wetlands down to Rocky Bay.
Several tracks start from the Onetangi Sports Park, including the Waiheke Island Round Rangihoua Loop Trail - the backbone trail for the Waiheke mountain bike trails. It is an easy to intermediate ride with single track berms and flows. It runs for a distance of 2.5km. The Family Track (Katoa Iwi) is a great learning trail and also starts at the car park by the corner of the Onetangi Sports Park football field. It runs for 2.2km.
Āwhitu Regional Park
Āwhitu Regional Park is the perfect day trip from Auckland central. You’ll find it on the Āwhitu Peninsula, jutting out into the calm waters of the Manukau Harbour looking back to the city.
There’s fishing off the rocks, two campgrounds, several picturesque bays and a golf course. The best way to see it all is via mountain bike on the easy 3km Settlers Farm Track, which will take most riders around an hour.
Tōtara Park
This 216-hectare open space has natural areas, bridal trails, bush walking, and is suitable for mountain biking.
There is a range of mountain bike tracks in the north-eastern section of Tōtara Park to suit a wide range of abilities. Park at the Redoubt Road entrance for access to the tracks - a kid's track plus easy and advanced routes.
Click here for a PDF map of the tracks.
Hunua Ranges
The Hunua Ranges is the Auckland region’s largest mainland forest, harbouring over 450 native species amidst 40,000 hectares of bush; with several well-maintained and well-signposted mountain bike tracks and a skills park right next to the Upper Mangatawhiri Campground.
For something easy try the Valley Loop Track. It’s 14 kilometres of undulating terrain through punga and kauri forest, and the nearby river has plenty of swimming holes perfect for cooling off.
Long Bay Regional Park
Long Bay Regional Park is less than 30 minutes drive from Auckland CBD, but it feels like another world. It’s got a pristine white-sand beach, serene native bush and panoramic ocean views.
The mountain bike trail here is a challenging one, featuring four kilometres of hilly terrain and a few short steep climbs, but once you get to the top it’s all worth it: you’ll be treated to a stunning vista across the Hauraki Gulf.
Discover many more great biking tracks this summer on the Auckland Council website.
If you're keen for a cycling day out closer to home, check out our list of Auckland parks to see on two wheels too.
