Reefton Lookout
- Grade:5
- Distance:6.5km
- Duration:3 hours
Reefton Lookout is a challenging mountain bike track that leads to stunning views, a lesson in history and the grandeur of nature. It is definitely worth the effort to take on the challenge.
The tracks vary from the easy Grade 2 tracks for the recreational cyclist to the technically challenging Grade 5 for the passionate biker. Spend 20 minutes on your bike or stay out the whole day – the different tracks can be linked together to form a day-long adventure ride. The terrain in Reefton also caters to different skill levels; it may include gravel tracks, smooth single tracks, muddy and rocky roads, bridges, boardwalks, moss and ferns and technical backcountry.
PLEASE NOTE THAT KIRWANS - MONTGOMERIE TRACKS ARE CLOSED - REFER TO THE DOC WEBSITE
Expert riders might enjoy the 14km Kirwans Track which starts at Caplestone carpark and ends at Kirwans Hut. Get ready for a 1,000-metre elevation and panoramic views on this trail. This track has been rated by many as one of the most enjoyable hardcore rides in New Zealand. The return ride may take up to 6 hours. There is a DOC hut on Kirwans Hill so staying overnight is possible.
For riders who want an easier ride, the Grade 2 Waitahu Valley is a 7k stretch from Gannons Road to Montgomerie Hut. The low-gradient track is mostly flats with some rough spots. The Clemantis swing bridge can be crossed to reach Black Points / Murray Creek tracks.
Other mountain biking tracks include Reefton Lookout (a Grade 2 track) and Big River (a Grade 3 track). Big River has different options which can take a day to bike or be done as a two-day trip. Big River also has a DOC hut for overnight stays.
An exciting and varied terrain plus stunning scenery isn’t the only thing you can expect at Reefton. Riding the trails will also plunge you into the town’s historic background -- giving you a good view of quartz mines, large machinery for gold extraction, mineshafts and other relics of the gold mining era that made Reefton famous.
