Ruataniwha Conservation Park mountain biking tracks
Track category
Mountain bike - Easy
Mountain bike - Intermediate
Description
Some of the following mountain bike rides go through freehold land. Public easements rights exist on the exact routes noted below. As a courtesy to the land owner ensure you:
- stay on the public easement track
- leave gates as you found them
- do not disturb stock
These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Baikie Hut
Grade 2: Easy
Distance: 9 km one way
This is a short mountain bike ride from the Ruataniwha Conservation Park car park on Aoraki/Mt Cook Highway (SH80). The track gradually climbs alongside the Twizel River to Baikie Hut (4 bunks) where bikers can picnic or stay overnight.
Dusky Trail
Grade 2: Easy
Distance: 23 km circuit
The Dusky Trail ride is signposted on Pukaki Canal Road. Bikers travel beside Fraser Stream and then traverse along the tussock flats below Ben Ohau Range. A descent down Gladstone valley leads to a crossing of the Twizel River. This crossing can be deep after recent rainfall so bikers need to take care. The track runs over stony ground beside the Twizel River and eventually emerges out to a car park area near Aoraki/Mt Cook highway (SH80).
Darts Bush Stream
Grade 2: Easy
Distance: 21 km circuit
This track travels through plantation forests and climbs up and over Pyramid Saddle. It then gradually descends beside Darts Bush Stream to the Fraser Stream/Darts Bush Stream junction. Bikers can either travel back to the start via Fraser Stream or carry on to a four-wheel-drive track that leads back to Pukaki Canal Road.
Parsons mountain-bike track
Grade 3: Intermediate
Distance: 8 km circuit
A marked single track starts after the ford crossing on the Ohau Snowfields access road near Lake Ohau Lodge. Continue along the track to Sawyers Creek and then follow the mountain-bike signs to descend to Glen Mary Ski Club huts and back down to Lake Ohau Road.
Monument Hut
Grade 2: Easy
Distance: 9 km one way
Monument Hut is in the Hopkins valley beyond Lake Ohau and a car park area is provided at Ram Hill. The first part of the track is well formed but it becomes progressively more rugged as the biker gets closer to Monument Hut. A great day trip or, alternatively, an overnight trip; hut fees apply (1 hut ticket per person/per night). It is possible to mountain bike further up the Hopkins valley to Red or Elcho Hut but the biker will encounter many river crossings, so care is needed. River crossing and back country skills are required.
Maps: NZMS 260 H38, H37; Topo50 BY14, BZ14.
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Activities
Mountain biking and cycling
Mountain biking
Track descriptions
Guides and commercial tourism providers