Mount Iron Trail Plan

Council is developing a Trail Plan for Mount Iron that will outline what an integrated network of walking, biking and horse-riding trails could look like in the future. 
Parks, Property & Community

Project Status

Planned
In Progress
Completed

Quick links

About the project

arrow_forward

What's the latest?

arrow_forward

Mountain biking trails

arrow_forward

Contact us

arrow_forward

Location Map

About the project

Council is developing a Trail Plan for Mount Iron that will outline what an integrated network of walking, biking and horse-riding trails could look like in the future. We're working with Bike Wānaka, the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (who are inputting on walking and biking trails) and the Upper Clutha Lakes Equestrian Access Group on this plan.  

Completion of a Trail Plan doesn’t mean all trails would be built immediately - the plan aims to provide a long-term view to guide the building of an integrated network.

What's the latest?

A process is underway to ensure trail requests are guided by the Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan: 

  • Step one (completed): The individual groups are developing what they would like to see for future trails on Mount Iron. 

  • Step two (underway): The Trail Plan will be considered in relation to the objectives and policies in the RMP such as positive ecological outcomes, impacts on other reserve users, Kāi Tahu values, ongoing maintenance and safety.

  • Step three: The proposed Trail Plan will be considered by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board for approval. It will be discussed at a public workshop in February 2026.  

  • Step four: If the Trail Plan is approved, groups can request approval to build trails aligned with the Trail Plan as they have funding and interest. 

Council will be engaging with other reserve user groups throughout this process such as conservation and recreation groups currently operating on Mount Iron. 

Mountain biking trails

As part of the Trail Plan process, Bike Wānaka has approached Council to build a network of mountain bike trails on the northern side of Mount Iron, accessed via the reserve entrance on Hidden Hills Drive. See the plan for Stage 1 trails below. 

The Stage 1 mountain bike trails have been ‘approved in principle’ by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board at their meeting on 16 December 2025, subject to approval of the overall Trail Plan.  

What's next?

Bike Wānaka will apply for resource consent for the trails. If the resource consent and Trail Plan are approved, Bike Wānaka will begin trail building with the aim for mountain biking to begin in Summer 2026/27. 

Contact us

If you have any questions or concerns about the operation, please contact QLDC Customer Services on 03 441 0499 or email:

services@qldc.govt.nz 

Back to Council Projects

Related content

Parks, Property & Community

Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan

Council purchased nearly 100 hectares of land around Mount Iron and Little Mount Iron in Wānaka.

Read more