Best mountain biking parks in New Zealand

"If you’re a serious wilderness adventurer, you will love this start above the winter snowline for a 10km, near-800m/2,500ft downhill run in an isolated snow-capped world. To walk here would take three days, longer if you carry your bike. And that’s where Kaimanawa Heli-Biking come in making this awesome trail, like no other, so accessible. Located at Poronui Station off the Napier-Taupo highway."

"The shared walking/biking track through the private commercial forest is an old logging route. It’s subject to weather because you have to cross the Makaroro River first and the track can be uncomfortably muddy at times. The 17km intermediate grade track has some steep climbs and can be a challenging 2-3 hours but well worth it. It’s on Wakarara Road 86 km from Napier."

"A great 78km mountain bike trail challenging more intermediate riders with numerous climbs and descents though bush and farmland. It follows the historic coach road between Opotiki and Gisborne, built in 1914. I recommend you start from Matawai, unless you want to climb for most of it. There’s lots of views and an opportunity for a detour to the Motu falls. You’ll end up in the other side of the ranges on the Opotiki Dunes Trail and it is possible to do a return trip in one day if you are feeling fit."

"This beautiful landmark has a fantastic off-road mountain bike downhill run from the near the top of the peak although it isn’t for the novice or faint-hearted. There’s steep drops and tight turns and it’s hard to stop and give way to walkers when the track gets to the shared path further down."