Mountain biking from Smylies:

The following information is sourced from the DOC website, Craigieburn trails website and bits of information out there along with our own experiences. Use info at your own risk and always be nice to walkers and the track.

Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park

Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park is centred on the Torlesse and Big Ben ranges around Porters Pass, about 16 km from Smylies on the Great Alpine Highway (SH 73) . Maps that cover the area are 260 – K34, K35, L34, L35.

Trig M

Trig M can be accessed by routes starting from Coach Stream or Starvation Gully, about 4.5 km apart on SH 73. From Trig M there are panoramic views over Lake Lyndon. The recommended route for mountain biking is to start from Starvation Gully and finish at Coach Stream. Return to Starvation Gully via SH 73.

Starvation Gully to Trig M

Grade: 3 Distance: 3.2 km Time: 1 hour 30 min uphill

Other users: walkers

From the signpost on SH 73, climb the marked track amongst diverse shrublands, traversing open ridges to reach Trig M. About half way up, the track from Coach Stream joins this track from the southeast.

Trig M to Coach Stream

Grade: 3 Distance: 5.5 km Time: 1 hour 30 min downhill

Other users: walkers

Coach Stream Route branches off approximately 1.5 km down from Trig M. The route sidles alongside a ridge before passing through a gate to follow a farm track through part of Ben More Station. A gate at the end of the 4WD track leads back onto public conservation land. Follow SH 73 over Porters Pass back to Starvation Gully (an additional 4.5 km). 

Craigieburn Trails:

www.craigieburntrails.org.nz

These guys and girls have built upon and created some great trails in and around the Castle Hill /Craigieburn park it is foolish to try and describe all the trails so pop onto their website and enjoy.

Wharfedale Track:

Grade: 3 Distance: 15 km Time: 3 hours

Other users: walkers

Getting there: This track through Beech Forest starts at View Hill car park, Oxford Forest. The forest is about 30 km northeast of Smylies.

From Smylies drive to Sheffield and the Waimak George, as you come out of the George turn onto Harmans george rd and continue straight untill the Woodstock rd intersection, turn left onto Woodstock Road After about 1.6 km turn right up Ingrams Road which then turns into Perhams Road. An AA signpost indicates the turn-off to the start of the Wharfedale Track.

In times of heavy rain, two fords on Perhams Road may become impassable.

The track was formed originally as a stock route, with the intention of eventually becoming a road. The track sidles and climbs gradually through beech forests to Wharfedale Saddle (approximately 2 hours ride).

It is then downhill to Wharfedale Hut. From the car park to the hut is 15 kilometres. Wharfedale Hut is close to Dobson Stream and is a standard 10-bunk hut with mattresses and heating (one hut ticket/night). Through the forest, the track surface provides technical riding over roots and rocks and bikes need to be carried over a few small creeks, but the majority is easily ridden.