DH in Dunedin, NZ Roadtrip

Having done a number of stops exploring the riding in the Southern Alps of New Zealand in Queenstown and the Cragieburn range, the next location on our road trip from Mot Lodge was the South Island's second largest city Dunedin. Translated into Scottish Gaelic as the 'Edinburgh', Dunedin shares a lot with its Northern Scottish Sister. A rich history, classic architecture, a strong student representation and outdoor culture. Yet, there are a few things its Southern Neighbour can boast about to. Aside from being home to Baldwin Street (Guinness book verified as the world's Steepest street), it also has some first class trails a very short drive from the city centre on Signal Hill. Last stop on our road trip, Peak Leaders graduates John Inman and Morgan Walker went to check it out.


The only traffic jam we encountered on our three-week trip - not often this is the view just before hitting trails!

The lookout over Dunedin.

From our base at the Holiday Park just behind the sand dunes to the East, we made the short drive across Dunedin, past the University of Otago and to Signal Hill. At just under 300m high, is the site of the memorial and provides a great lookout over the city. Whilst playing host to late night student after parties, here you can also find a downhill park. With a grand total of 28 trails, there is plenty of variety to be found; including a Nationals track, 4X and a whole load more pine needle coated trails gems.

Dunedin is a classic round on the NZ nationals and has its own permanent start gate.

Keen to get a flavour of the trails, we had a quick look at the map but decided a blind run would help us best discover the variety here. As all the trails run down and converge at the bottom, you can mix and match runs depending on what takes your fancy. First run down 'Jumps track' (self-explanatory) into the 'Nationals' gave us a sample of the great balance of flat-out flow and multi-line rock garden tech to be found here.

Pulling up into the first corner.

Flowing through the berms at the top.

What makes this spot even better, is the prime access for uplift provided by the public road running up the Westerly side of the hill, maximising time to get laps in! Next up was 'The Mrs', 'Quarry Track' and 'Oceanias'; Fast, rock strewn singletrack opening out into a creek-gap and multi-line log drop and rock garden, before getting to the 4X track at the end. Watching out for sniper rocks turned out to be very important, and one flat later we learned our lesson.

Next run took us across from the main trails situated in the pine plantation to out in the open. We were led into 'Ginger Cougar', a fast and rocky trail with jumps, drops and a road gap. After all the speed found here, we ran into the double black 'Magnatron', steep and tight with plenty of off-camber and root covered sections. It's easy to see why this is a regular on the Nationals with the variety in trails here.


First jump on 'Ginger Cougar' - The Yeti showing it can hang with the big rigs.

Blasting down back towards the city.

Endless pull up opportunities!

Down at the bottom where the trails converge brings you out onto the jumps and berms of the 4X track. Pretty much the best way to finish any lap, flowy easy going jumps and foot out flat corners to test your courage against your mates to carry speed through.

4X track trains.

You'll definitely want more runs of this racing your mates.


With the light fading and muscles tiring it was up for the fast few laps. This time riding 'Student Track', definitely living up to its locals reputation with tricky root sections, small gaps and tight, steep corners, the little bikes felt very at home. Then before heading off there is always time to sessions the 4X track jumps and testing the pull ups to be found and triples to be sent, which Max and Fabio were more than keen to do.


Max going big down the bottom.

Fabian setting up and sending the triple to finish!

With stoke levels running at an all-time high after the big lines at the bottom, we all piled back in the car back to our tent at the Holiday Park before freshening up to sample the lively centre of Dunedin. Signal Hill is a fantastic spot to ride in, will definitely make you wish you were a local with its variety and easy access and is well worth adding to any South Island Roadtrip. Big shout to MTB Otago for such an ace spot!

Signal Hill mountain biking trails
Thanks for having us Dunner's!

John Inman
Ski, Snowboard & Mountain Bike Instructor Courses & Camps
www.peakleaders.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1337 860 079
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