A brand new mountain biking adventure park in Glendhu Bay will open this Thursday (January 23).

Named Bike Glendhu, the park features 35km of pedal-powered trails which twist and turn through 1,000 hectares of terrain on Glendhu Station, a 13-minute drive from downtown Wanaka along Mt Aspiring Road.

“We're beyond delighted to finally be able to share our vision and work with the people of Wanaka and visitors to the region,” Bike Glendhu managing director Charlie Cochrane said.

"Our amazing trail crews have spent 12 months working tirelessly to build our network. They’re all riders themselves, so every turn, every berm, every jump, dynamic downhill and honest climb has been designed and crafted to be as epic as possible.”

Bike Glendhu founders John Wilson (right) and John McRae. PHOTO: Supplied

The park, which is designed to suit all abilities, features a 10km scenic family loop, a 22km back country loop that descends 450m over 8km, plus multiple descent options that include technical enduro, jump and flow trails.

While 35km of trails will open this week, 15km more will be built in the near future. Work on the base buildings, landscaping and pump track is currently in progress.

The park is a collaboration between keen local rider John Wilson and station owners John and Emily McRae. 

John is a third-generation farmer at Glendhu Station. “We are custodians of this land and it means so much to my family,” he said. “So, we’re proud to be involved in a venture that is sustainable and sympathetic, while also diversifying income streams and providing something spectacular for the community and visitors.”

The trails were designed and built by Tom Hey and his Queenstown-based company Elevate Trail Building, with the support of Wanaka-based crew Dirt Dynamics. Tom and his team have crafted many of the region's popular mountain biking trails.

There are a range of trails for all abilities. PHOTO: Jay French

“The trails have been built as sympathetically as possible to the natural topography, all the buildings are positioned sensitively within the landscape and we've made sustainability a major focus of the project," Charlie said.

More than 4,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted and the site is powered exclusively by the sun, with Wanaka Solar providing a 100% off-grid system. There will be wastewater capture, composting on site and natural cleaning products used, and the facility will be SUP (single-use plastic) free – no cups. People are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

All staff are pre-hospital emergency trained – they are all first responders. “We’re so lucky to have an awesome crew of passionate and talented individuals working here,” Charlie said. 

The park will be open 10 months a year and features a ‘communal hub’ with a cafe

where riders can buy tickets, hire bikes and swap stories.

“Everyone is really excited about welcoming bikers out to Bike Glendhu to experience this incredible playground.”

Learn more at the Bike Glendhu website here.