Naseby Forest Trails
Also known as: Naseby MTB
Historic goldfields, Mt Ida Water Race trail with Hawkdun Range views, mixed larch/pine/fir forest
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Naseby Forest Trails - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
NZ Grade 1 (green/beginner) to Grade 5 (black/expert)
Beginner: green Grade 1/2 forest loops near Swimming Dam. Advanced: longer technical Grade 4/5 circuits and Mt Ida Water Race edge.
Family-friendly with green options plus longer technical circuits; sheltered forest good for mixed groups
The riding
Pine/larch/Douglas-fir plantation floor, loam and gravel forest roads, goldfield tailings/sluicings
Flowy forest singletrack, roots, some rocky goldfield-tailings terrain; low exposure, sheltered in trees
Signposted network; forest maps at Ernslaw One HQ; Trailforks region coverage
Generally quiet forest riding; busier in holiday periods and events
Season & conditions
Year-round but Naseby (~600 m) gets winter snow and frost; can close on high fire risk in summer
Rideable year-round; drier and most-logged in spring/summer (October peak on Trailforks)
Naseby is a famed winter ice-sports village (curling, luge) adjacent to the forest
Central Otago extremes: hot dry summers with high fire danger (forest closes on high risk); cold frosty snowy winters
Getting there & gear
Free access; trails maintained by Naseby Development Charitable Trust and volunteers with landowner Ernslaw One Ltd permission
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Car park at end of Swimming Dam Rd; sealed/gravel road access from Naseby village
- (no dedicated forest shuttle; largely pedal/loop network)
Carry water; village services close by; check Ernslaw One for logging/fire closures; coverage variable in forest
Adjacent Naseby Swimming Dam, Holiday Park, village cafes/pub, indoor curling rink and luge
Naseby Holiday Park (base); bike hire via nearby Ranfurly/Otago Central Rail Trail operators
Hazards & rescue
Active working forest; sections close for logging; fire-risk closures; check Ernslaw One Naseby Forest Recreation Area before riding
None; self-guided
Forest close to Naseby village with forest roads for egress; 111 for emergencies
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.