Best Pump Tracks in Christchurch
Best Pump Tracks in Christchurch
By Jasmine @kiwi_kids_outdoors
Christchurch provides an extensive smorgasbord for our smallest bike enthusiasts, featuring an epic selection of pump tracks. Whether your children are beginners on balance bikes, settling into those training wheels on a pedal bike, or hooning along and leaving those stabilisers in a trail of dust behind them, there is something for everyone. Here are our top picks.
Mcleans Island Pump Track and Skills Park
The Mcleans Island Pump Track and Skills park is our top pick. It has three main sections; a smooth asphalt pump track, a skills loop, and a selection of practice mountain bike features. The pump track has a loop and a two-way strip of rollers. It’s achievable for beginners but still fun for those needing more of a challenge. The skills loop is equipped with accurate road markings, giveaway and stop signs and it features a bridge for those wanting a bit of a hill for a little climb or downhill action, and some sweet views of their mates below. Practice mountain bike features include seesaws, slalom poles, bridges and boardwalks, a rock-garden style feature and more. We love that it has a variety of features for progression making it great for literally all ages.The setting offers mature trees for shade and there is a cafe selling ice creams, coffee and snacks on site with plenty of lawn games to keep busy after a ride! There’s plenty there to keep you busy for a day out.
Location: 810 Mcleans Island Rd, Mcleans Forest
Nigel Mahan Pump Track
A Velosolutions asphalt pump track offering a huge range of skill progressions. On first glance this one may look a bit tricky to navigate with really little kids just starting out, but there is one small loop that is an easier starting point. From there the track offers progression right up to some pretty big jumps resulting in some pretty big air for older, confident riders. There is tiered seating and an outlook of the Port Hills in the distance. Because it caters to all levels, it can be a great spot for young riders to watch and get inspired by older ones!
Location: Bexley Park, Pages Road
Prebbleton Reserve Pump Track
Tucked away next to Prebbleton Playcentre, this asphalt pump track in the Selwyn District has a base pump track that riders can follow around but also offers riders some autonomy in picking their own lines as it will pump in any direction. Note, this one may be a little tricky for those really little riders just starting out and they may need a bit more support than some of the other pump tracks. Across the other side of the domain there is a cool little playground to check out.
Central City - Detour Snake Run
A popular city destination with kids, the Detour Snake Run is located across from the famous Margaret Mahy playground. It is an asphalted route with a variety of bumps and turns to keep things fun and interesting for little beginners and beyond. Gap Filler designed this track to add a smile to daily commuters on wheels as well as a bit of fun for kids. A great spot to add to a family day out in Christchurch City!
Location: 214 Manchester Street
Bottleake Pump Tracks
Bottlelake needs a mention for offering two dirt pump tracks that could be described as a bit rustic and rough around the edges but epic locations in their own right. At the main car park off Waitikiri Drive, you will find a pump track loop as well as a number of jump lines of varied levels. It is an awesome place for young bikers who seek a bit of adrenaline to practice their pumping and jumping. The pump track loop is achievable for little ones on balance bikes. The coolest part is that there is also an amazing tractor tyre play area, a wooden skills balance course, a fairy village and an information centre (with buttons!) on site.
The second, more hidden pump track in Bottlelake Forest is accessed from the Broadhaven Reserve carpark and requires a 1km walk with a bit of a climb to get there. If you are up for the little adventure, it is a cool spot to walk and/or bike to, park up with a picnic and enjoy the dirt track with a bit of an ocean view on top of a hill. You’ll need to walk to the end of the gravel track, veer right up the hill, and look out for the pump track to your left once you get to the top.
Location: Waitikiri Drive and Bower Avenue respectively.
Christchurch Adventure Park
The Adventure Park offers a dirt pump track designed for both adults and kids and requires a bit of skill to use. However you will also find lots of other cool kids activities here such as a short forest loop for kids only, a trampoline, fairy doors and a kid-friendly cafe. The vibe here makes for an awesome spot to hang out and kids will love watching riders coming and going at the park and maybe even sending some huge jumps.
It is also worth noting that many Christchurch schools are having high quality asphalt pump tracks built, so check out your local school and see what they have for you to use outside of school hours!
And if you want to go a bit further afield, you could also check out the new asphalt pump track in Darfield or the basic dirt pump track at Orton Bradley Park which is also a beautiful spot to hang out with kids for the day.
