Cycling and Mountain Biking

It's uphill all the way to the Signal Hill Lookout via Great King Street North, Opoho Road, and left onto Signal Hill Road. This is a recreation reserve with some tracks for mountain biking. A few single tracks crisscross the reserve. Other recreationists also use the area so please watch out for them. One main track runs from Signal Hill down to Logan Park High School (off Butts Road). To get from the track to Butts Road use the main school drive. Please take care for others using the drive and of school property. Do not use any other pathway through the school to get from the end of the track to Butts Road. Please do not use the track to ride down to Ravensbourne.

You can ride this track as a loop from the city, through Fairfield into Morris Road, up Chain Hills Road, along Halfway Bush Road and then down either Brindson Road or Three Mile Hill Road back into the city. If you don't fancy the traffic, get dropped off at the start of the rough stuff and picked up at the other end.

It is a fun, safe and easy circuit (but still challenging) for parents, children and seasoned riders alike.

mountain biking track around Mt Allan-Pulpit Rock

The Otago Central Rail Trail runs between Middlemarch and Clyde. It follows the old Central Otago Branch railway line for 150km, making it the longest rail trail in New Zealand. The trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The surface can be variable with some loose rock and rutting but is generally flat to gently sloping.

This is a mixture of sealed roads and "paper road" tracks on the Otago Peninsula. A section of Karetai Road is accessible only by four wheel drive vehicles, mountain bikers and walkers. Buskin and Paradise Road run off Highcliff Road. Ride down one and up the other to make a good round trip.

From Pine Hill Road turn right into Cowan Road. Twenty metres after the tar seal turns to gravel turn left into a private drive. (Please respect their privacy). Continue to follow the drive around to the left until you see the sign indicating the start of the track. Follow this rough track which has superb views until you get to O'Connell Road. Please do not deviate left off the formed track. Stay on a gradual right curve, going around the side of Mt. Cargill. At the end of the track, turn left onto O'Connell Road, left again onto Pigeon Flat Road then at the Leith Saddle, follow this down until you are at Woodhaugh Gardens and back into the city. A nice ride with a variety of views and track conditions. Round Trip approximately 2-3 hours.

Sections of these roads are unsealed and, when coupled with other roads and tracks make an interesting part of a circuitous ride. Turn right off North Taieri Road onto Abbott's Hill Road. The unsealed section connects to Mount Grand Road. Halfway Bush Road is off Three Mile Hill Road.