LOCAL RIDING
Queenstown hosts a huge variety of fantastic riding for all types and abilities, from Lakeside cruising with the family to some of the most technically demanding Downhill mountain biking anywhere in the world.
We live and breathe bikes here at Vertigo and will always take time to suggest rides and tailor days to suit your ability and preference before sending you on your way.
Below is a database of the trails here in Queenstown, we highly recommend using the 'Trailforks' app on your phone before setting off on adventure!
If you’re planning on spending a bit of time in Queenstown, it is worth joining the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club as you will be supporting a great cause and it will get you some great benefits around town. Vertigo offers 10% discount on parts, accessories and workshop labour in our shop to all members.
If you are bringing your own bike it is a hard choice between whether to bring a DH bike or a trail (#enduro) bike. Us Vertigo boys ride 99% of the trails here on our trail bikes and find that you will see a lot more of the riding Queenstown has to offer if you bring one of these style bikes.
But if you just want to cut laps on the Gondola for a week then your DH bike should be the one you pack for sure!
TRAIL/ENDURO RIDING
Trail riding is on the up, with areas like “7 Mile” offering people who are looking to go for a pedal and get out of town a great option. The area has a mix of technical singletrack to fast flowy man-made trails.
If you are an advanced rider with good fitness then you have to check out the trails above the gondola. Follow the “Beeched As” climb to access either the Missing Link trail from Ben Lomond saddle or just follow the climb to the Kelly McGarry memorial bench at the top of Fernhill Loop and hit up the infamous Salmon Run trail. One of the most technical trails in Queenstown.
Another classic Queenstown ride, and a locals’ favorite is the Moke Lake Circuit. This is a nice cross country ride with plenty of climbing in it, and has a genuine New Zealand backcountry feel to it. High country farmland, beautiful mountain lakes, singletrack, 4wd roads, sheep and cows, what more could you ask for! The loop is a half-day ride, and you can venture into 7 Mile on the way back for a play also if you have any energy left!
JUMPS AND PUMPS
Queenstown is famous around the world for its jumps. We are fortunate to have some of the best jump tracks and public dirt jumps in the world.
Even if dirt jumping using your thing you need to go and check out the Gorge Road dirt jumps as they are a thing of beauty, sculptured to perfection.
The Wynyard Terrain park is another must go area to check out. Dream Track is world famous for its huge jumps and is a "rights of passage" for many a rider to achieve.
In the same area there is "Mini-Dream" which is the original smaller jump line which also has a permanent ramp and mulch landing trick learning jump.
The latest addition to that area is the brand new "McNearly Gnarley" jump track. This is a intermediate jump trail which is accessed via the Salmon Ladder climb. A 15-20 easy switchback climb gets you to one the most perfectly build jump tracks around. A four minute rollercoaster that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.
DOWNHILL RIDING
Unless you have been living under a rock you will know that Queenstown became the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have a gondola-accessed mountain bike park. Skyline Gondola in the centre of Queenstown has opened its doors to mountain bikers, giving us access to the awesome downhill mountain bike trails in the Ben Lomond Forest. There are a wide variety of tracks to cater for all abilities of downhill rider. It’s good to know that their are no beginner trails on the hill, even the green trails require low-intermediate mtb skills to ride them safely. If unsure give us a call or chat to us in the shop, we can give you a run down and show you videos of the trails if you are unsure.
There are also other DH tracks in the area, which are easy to shuttle if you have a vehicle, or we can help you with that. We have the awesome Wynyard Express DH track in town and also the fast and flowy trails on Coronet Peak- Rude Rock, Zoot track and Skippers Canyon! Vertigo would recommend a Giant Glory if riding any of these DH trails for maximum grin factor!
SCENIC & FAMILY RIDES
Straight from our front doors you can get onto the Lakeside trail which opens up a few great half day and full day options.
The most popular ride is the Frankton Arm ride, which follows the lakeside trail from town around to the Kelvin Heights golf course. This is the only ride in town which doesn't involve any serious climbing and remains pretty flat following the lake edge. Some great cafes to stop at for lunch or to grab a coffee en route. This is the only ride we would recommend if you have young children.
The next most popular option is the start once again on the Frankton Arm trail but then follow the signs for the "Queenstown Trail" to Arrowtown. This is a beautiful trail that takes you through the Wakatipu Basin to Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley. This is a full day ride which requires a good level of fitness. It is 35km off non-technical bike path trail to Arrowtown but there is still a good chunk of climbing involved on the way.
Renting an electric bike is a great way to tackle and enjoy this trail, especially if you have a mixed ability group.