After seven successful trail rides over nine years, Wānaka Trail Ride organisers say it's time to ‘hit the brakes’ on the much-loved backcountry event. 

Wānaka Trail Ride committee member and tracks manager Phil Pendlebury said the event will not take place in 2024 as two of the three farms where the ride is held are now unable to provide access. 

"Without suitable terrain, we can’t deliver the quality of riding that Wānaka Trail Ride is known for,” Phil said. 

"The appeal of Wānaka Trail Ride is that while it's a great ride for young and novice riders, it is renowned for offering technical trails for advanced riders,” Phil said.

“So, this is the end of the event as far as we can see.”

Riders on the trails at Wānaka Trail Ride in April this year.

Since its establishment in 2015, led by Wānaka locals Carrie Wallis and Nicolle Masters, the Wānaka Trail Ride has grown to become an annual highlight, Phil said, and the all-ages-and-abilities trail has attracted a broad range of riders.

Originally it was only planned to run for three years, but the ride's popularity saw it last much longer, only interrupted by Covid-related cancellations in 2020 and 2022.

Phil said the event's success was a testament to the generosity of Tarras landowners the Nyhon family, Simon Maling and Lucy Annan, who opened their properties for the event.

The Wānaka Trail Ride has also raised $180,000 over the years, with funds split between Wānaka Primary School and Montessori Children's House Wānaka, plus contributions made to the RSA Appeal and Tarras School.

While the end of the ride brings mixed emotions for the Wānaka Trail Ride committee, they have always known it wouldn't last forever.

There’s also a small chance an alternative suitable property may be found near Wānaka, and if that’s the case the committee is open to the possibility of reviving the event.

Wānaka Trail Ride chairperson Alix Wilson thanked everyone who has been involved with the event over the years. 

"A lot of work goes into an event like this, particularly when you want to deliver fun and adventure while keeping everyone safe. We have incredible people in our community who each year volunteer critical skills like safety, track marshalling, course setting and operations,” she said.

"We are hugely grateful to these volunteers as well as our sponsors, the committee team and, of course, our incredible landowners. And we want to thank all the riders, many of whom return year after year. The ride has been an incredible experience for us all.”

PHOTOS: Supplied