Short road rides
The following three routes are easy rides and therefore popular with families and beginners. On the shared paths you can encounter walkers, runners, skateboarders, people in wheelchairs and on scooters so look and listen for other users.
Vauxhall to Macandrew Bay
Start at Vauxhall and bike along the shared path to Macandrew Bay for an ice-cream or stop at Glenfalloch for a walk around its beautiful garden. This flat, sealed ride features boardwalks, picnic areas and steps down to the harbour and is perfect for children with lots to see and do. 20 min, 4km.
Water of Leith to St Leonards
Start at the Water of Leith bridge beside the Forsyth Barr Stadium and bike to St Leonards. This path features a BBQ area, exercise equipment and a variety of wildlife in the inlets you cross. 30 min, 6km.
City to beach
From Birch Street in the wharf area, cycle along Kitchener Street, past the Harbour Mouth Molars and along Portsmouth Drive. Portsmouth Drive is one of Dunedin’s original bike paths and it’s a treat to bike alongside the harbour when it sparkles on a sunny day, taking in the central city views. Turn right at Portobello Road then travel along Royal Crescent to John Wilson Ocean Drive and St Kilda Beach. 20 minutes, 4km.
Longer, harder road rides
Otago Peninsula
Start from Highcliff Road in Andersons Bay, ride to Portobello and return along the harbourside shared path. Lonely Planet rated this one of the top five rides in the world.
Port Chalmers loop
Start at Port Chalmers, head up Blueskin Road, stop at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary for a snack, turn left at Green Road and continue along Mount Cargill Rd to Upper Junction Road. Turn down Upper Junction Road to Sawyers Bay, along Stevenson Avenue and Borlases Road back to Port Chalmers.
Waitati circuit
Start on Duke Street, head up Malvern Street then Leith Valley Road, cross the Dunedin northern motorway and turn left down Waitati Valley Road. You can stop at Waitati for a coffee then return to Dunedin via Mount Cargill Road, through Upper Junction, down to North Road and back to Dukes Street.
Mountain bike rides
Signal Hill
A network of 35 trails behind Logan Park to suit all skill levels. If you’re a beginner, try the Big Easy, a gentle climbing track that allows easy access to the network of advanced downhill tracks. Access at the bottom is behind Logan Park High School on Butts Road and at the top at the Signal Hill summit on Signal Hill Road.
Wakari Creek/Redwoods
A network of about 20 beginner and intermediate tracks above Ross Creek. Access is from the carpark on Wakari Road.
Bethunes Gully and Forrester Park
Head up North Road then turn left into Norwood Street and Forrester Park is on the right. This has a great beginner track through the Spooky Forest and a BMX course.
Further up the road, Bethunes Gully is on the left. It has three intermediate tracks which are challenging and steep with some tricky obstacles.
Nicols Creek
From the bridge on Leith Valley Road that crosses Nicols Creek, the right-hand track is a 7.5km switchback mountain biking track. It has several boardwalks and is challenging. Walking and bike tracks merge at times so look and listen for other users.