Mount Iron Trail Plan

The Trail Plan is being developed to create a long-term vision for trails on Mount Iron. This will help ensure:

• a cohesive trail network develops over time

• fair input from different trail user groups

• more efficient approval of future trails

• alignment with the Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan.

The Trail Plan is a map showing existing and potential future trails. It sets out a vision for how a trail network could develop over time. The Trail Plan helps guide decision-making, but it does not mean all proposed trails will be built.

The Stage 1 mountain bike trails are the first new trails that will be progressed on Mount Iron by Bike Wānaka. These are included in the Trail Plan to ensure future trail development forms a cohesive network. The Stage 1 trails were approved in principle by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board at their meeting on 16 December 2025.

Council has been working with local trail user groups:

• Bike Wānaka

• Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (walking and biking trails)

• Upper Clutha Lakes Equestrian Access Group

Yes. Council has been working with Aukaha and Te Ao Marama Incorporated (TAMI) to ensure Kāi Tahu values have been considered. Ecological and landscape experts have also assessed the impact of the proposed trails.

For example, the ecological assessment has identified areas in the reserve where trail development is not appropriate. This has led to potential trails being moved out of these areas.

There will be no change to the existing, maintained trails. This includes the Mount Iron Loop Trail which will remain walking only.

Reserve users accessing informal trails may see changes over time as any proposed trail development is approved e.g. in the future, some informal trails may be formalised and become multi-use or bike priority trails. Any changes will be communicated in advance and will have appropriate signage.

The Trail Plan doesn’t change dog access rules. Dog access continues to be managed in line with QLDC’s Dog Control Bylaw and Policy.

No. Access to the specific recreation areas will remain unchanged.

The Stage 1 mountain bike trails range from intermediate to advanced. They include a multi-use uphill trail and a network of downhill bike priority trails. This will complement the existing easy shared trails around the base of Mount Iron.

Bike Wānaka is funding both the build and ongoing maintenance of the Stage 1 mountain bike trails.

Bike Wānaka plans to apply for resource consent in the first half of 2026. If approved, trail construction is intended to begin in time for use in summer 2026/27.

Bike Wānaka plan to progress building the Stage 1 mountain bike trails in 2026 (subject to final approvals).

Any further trails will be developed over time as trail groups approach Council and will depend on:

• interest from trail groups 

• available funding from groups 

• required approvals

As a result, it is difficult to estimate the timeframes. Any new trails would be staged and subject to detailed design, approvals, and confirmation of funding for building and ongoing trail maintenance.

Council does not have funding in the Long Term Plan 2024-34 to build new trails on Mount Iron. Council is focused on maintaining the existing trail network.

Yes. The Trail Plan guides what a future trail network could look like, but each trail that sits within the Trail Plan would still need the necessary approval by Council officers before being built. Some trails may also require resource consent.

Horse riding is being considered as part of an integrated network in the Trail Plan. If the Trail Plan is approved, horse riding would not begin immediately. The Upper Clutha horse riding community would need to put forward a detailed proposal for trail development (aligned with the Trail Plan) for approval.

Any horse riding approved on Mount Iron would be undertaken as a 12-month trial to assess the use and suitability. Access would be from one point in the reserve along SH84 (yet to be determined).

Some future trails will be multi-use - potentially shared by mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders. Safety will be supported through:

• Careful trail design

• Clear signage

• Agreed trail etiquette

• Only allowing uphill cyclists on multi-use trails

Only allowing uphill cyclists on multi-use trails

Direction of travel and speeds will be managed to reduce user conflict. Guidance will align with best practice including Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa | Outdoor Access Commission advice.

Management of trail crossings, such as instances where a priority downhill bike trail intersects with a multi-use trail, will be addressed during the detailed design phase as each trail is developed.  This is to ensure the most appropriate measures can be designed for each crossing. Measures may include:

• Trail design that slows riders or brings them to a stop at trail intersections

• Improved sightlines through vegetation trimming and trail design

• Signage

Examples of these measures, used successfully in Ben Lomond Reserve in Queenstown, are available to view here.

Unauthorised trail building is not permitted in the reserve. Trail groups building new approved trails will be responsible for discouraging and remediating any unauthorised trail building related to their activity.