Craigieburn Forest Park mountain biking tracks

Track category

Mountain bike - Intermediate
Mountain bike - Advanced

Description

Within Craigieburn Forest Park is a network of roads and dual purpose tracks popular for mountain biking. Biking is permitted only on ski field access roads and the bush tracks sign-posted 'open to cycling use'.

Mountain biking in Craigieburn Forest Park

Be aware at all times of other vehicles on these roads.

These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

The following mountain bike trails all start at the Craigieburn Picnic Area.

Lyndon Saddle Loop

Grade 3: Intermediate
Distance: 8.8 km return
Time: 1 - 3 hr
Other users: walkers

Ride for 1 km along SH 73 to the Craigieburn ski field road. The Craigieburn Valley Track starts approximately 3 km up this road. Turn left at the next junction and follow the easier sidling track up to Lyndon Saddle. The right fork at the saddle (affectionately known as "The Luge" by mountain bikers) is a long undulating and twisting trail to Broken River ski field road. Follow this road back to the picnic area.

Note: Mountain bikes are not permitted on the other two tracks starting from the Lyndon Saddle junction. These tracks lead either up Helicopter Hill or to down to the Craigieburn Picnic Area and are very popular family walks.

Craigieburn Valley Loop

Grade 4: Advanced
Distance: 15 km loop
Time: 2 - 4 hr
Other users: walkers

Ride for 1 km along SH 73 to the Craigieburn Valley ski field road. Ride up this road to the head of the valley, beyond the ski club buildings and onto the Craigieburn Valley Track. This track provides an undulating and, in places, technically challenging single-track ride either back to the ski field road or to Lyndon Saddle as described previously.

Broken River ski field road

Grade 3: Intermediate
Distance: From picnic area to club hut - 6 km
Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr
Other users: walkers

The road leaves Craigieburn Picnic Area following Cave Stream and climbs to Jacks Pass. The road follows the valley beyond the locked gate, winding its way to Windy Corner and on to the club huts. Beyond the day lodge on the ski field, sections of the road are steep and loose but the ski basin can be accessed by bike.

Broken River ski field road to Camp Saddle

Grade 3: Intermediate
Distance: 2.5 km from tractor shed to Camp Saddle
Time: 2 hr uphill
Other users: walkers

Camp Saddle Track starts opposite the ski club tractor shed beyond the locked gate on Broken River ski field road. An old 4WD drive track narrows as it steadily climbs through beech forest. The track then comes out into open tussocks; poles mark the route to Camp Saddle.
Enjoy the magnificent views from the tussock and scree saddle before returning the same way.

Dracophyllum Flat Track

Grade 3: Intermediate
Distance: 1.8 km
Time: 1 hr return
Other users: walkers, picnickers

Take the road from the Craigieburn Picnic Area following Cave Stream to Broken River ski field road. The Dracophyllum Flat Track begins opposite the road intersection and gradually descends to Broken River. The pole bridge is not suitable for bikes, and riders will need to ford the river instead. The track then briefly ascends through mountain beech to a sheltered clearing which is covered by red-brown Dracophyllum, native tussock and a host of small herbs and ground-cover plants.

This is a popular picnic site so ensure you watch out for other users.

back to top

Getting there

Craigieburn Forest Park is approximately 100 km from Christchurch on the Great Alpine Highway (SH73) towards Arthur's Pass and is accessed via the signposted side road to Craigieburn Picnic Area.

Activities

Mountain biking

Track descriptions