Bike Glendhu

* Bike Glendhu is closed for the winter and will reopen Labour Day Weekend. *

Situated in Glendhu Bay and surrounded by a stunning mountain range, Bike Glendhu is ideally located just 15 minutes from Wānaka township.

The concept for the bike park hatched when the owners realised there was a need for more biking in Wānaka, in a naturally beautiful setting. It was then that the founders partnered with a forward-thinking farmer to create the organically farmed park. Presently, their 35 km network weaves through 1,000 gorgeous hectares, with plenty of room for growth. 

The trails were thoughtfully designed to allow beginners to ride at their own pace, while the more experienced riders can soar through at theirs. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck here, as a season pass is valid for their nine-month season and a trail pass allows you to ride the whole park from open to close. They even offer coaching sessions if you’re still getting acquainted with your bike. 

Nestled on the grounds you’ll find a gift shop and a café, set inside separate, cabin-like structures. The store offers a large selection of Mons Royale and key biking bits and pieces, while the café and beer garden, Velo, offers Common Ground Coffee and everything you need to enjoy yourself post-ride: cabinet food from local favourite Scroggin, wines, local beer on tap, and even an outdoor area with fire pits, bean bags and mountain vistas. 

Of course, the park wouldn’t be complete without the bike mechanic shop perched nearby, ready and waiting to dial your ride. All the buildings are clad with black corrugated iron that lends an alpine feel and were thoughtfully designed to work harmoniously with the outstanding natural environment here.

The attention to detail didn’t stop with the design, though. With a dedication to eco-friendly practices, the park is based within a little amphitheatre and is entirely off-grid, (solar panels line the roof). The commitment to sustainability is also why you won’t find any printed maps here. They even launched a native tree planting scheme, with a goal of planting 30,000 trees by 2025. Customers can use solar power to charge their bikes, and, as a result, a payment is made that goes directly to tree planting.

If you’re jonesing to get on the bike and spin through the stunning vistas, just pop on by. Day passes can be purchased online or at the park, but bike rental, shuttles and group bookings are encouraged during their busy season (December – January). If you play your cards right, you’ll be having a post-ride brew by the brazier in no time.