Welcome to our latest newsletter about Mount Iron Reserve in Wānaka.

Conceptual Trail Plan for Mount Iron

We’re pleased to share that the Conceptual Trail Plan for Mount Iron was approved by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board at their meeting on 2 April 2026.  

The Conceptual Trail Plan sets out a long-term picture of what an integrated trail network on Mount Iron could look like in the future. The plan has been developed to support trails being built in a coordinated way, reflect balanced input from different trail user groups, and to ensure trails align with the Mount Iron Reserve Management Plan (RMP). Ecological, landscape and cultural values were also key considerations as the plan was developed.

Importantly, this plan will help guide decision-making over time – it doesn’t mean all proposed trails will be built!

A big thank you

The Conceptual Trail Plan was developed in collaboration with Bike Wānaka, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (inputting on walking and biking trails) and the Upper Clutha Lakes Equestrian Access Group. We’d like to thank these groups for the time, thought and expertise they contributed.  

You can view the Conceptual Trail Plan, read detailed FAQs and learn more on our website: QLDC - Mount Iron Trail Plan.  

Quickfire Q&A

What does the Conceptual Trail Plan propose?
The plan outlines how a network of trails could expand on Mount Iron over time. The plan keeps the existing network of formal, maintained trails including the existing 5km Mount Iron Loop Trail which will be maintained as a walking only trail. The plan proposes a new network of mountain biking trails, new walking and running trails to improve access through the reserve, and a new one-way horse-riding loop.

When will new trails identified in the Conceptual Trail Plan be built?  
New trails will be built over time as trail groups approach Council to progress a project based on their individual priorities and funding. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the timeframe in which trails will be built but it is expected to be staged over many years.

Trails can proceed once approvals, funding and detailed design are confirmed, with trail groups responsible for construction and ongoing maintenance. Bike Wānaka is the only group with plans to immediately progress trail building – the Stage 1 mountain bike trails.

Council’s focus is on maintaining the existing trail network, and there is no Long Term Plan funding for new trails.

What are the Stage 1 mountain bike trails?
The Stage 1 mountain bike trails are the first new trails that will be progressed on Mount Iron. These trails are being funded by Bike Wānaka. Work is underway to progress towards trail building in 2026.  

A map of the Stage 1 mountain bike trails can be found on the QLDC website: QLDC - Mount Iron Trail Plan.  

Will there be multi-use trails on Mount Iron in the future, and how will safety be managed? 
Some future trails may 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 

Direction of travel and speeds will be managed to reduce user conflict.  

Will the Conceptual Trail Plan change any of the trails I currently use on Mount Iron?
There will be no change to the existing, maintained trails. 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.

 Invitation to Mount Iron milestone:
Public land transfers into QLDC care

In our February newsletter, we shared that Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has taken over management of the public conservation land at Mount Iron in Wānaka.  This land was previously managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

To celebrate this occasion, we warmly invite you, our community, to an event marking the transition of the land into Council’s care.

Please join us on Friday 1 May at 10.00am at the Mount Iron Reserve, accessed via the SH84 carpark (see site map below).

The celebration will include brief speeches from QLDC and DOC, followed by the planting of several trees to mark this significant milestone. Morning tea will be provided.

Join us in celebrating DOC’s long-standing stewardship of the Mount Iron Scenic Reserve, and QLDC’s ongoing commitment to managing the reserve for the community, now and for future generations. Having all the reserve land at Mount Iron managed by one organisation will support enhanced experiences for all those that use the reserve.

Event details
When: Friday 1 May 2026, 10.00am 
Where: Mount Iron Reserve, Wānaka

Schedule
•    10.00am – Meet at Mount Iron reserve (map below)
•    10.10am – Speeches from QLDC and DOC, followed by tree planting
•    10.30am – Morning tea

Site map

Have a question or keen to find out more?

We’re happy to answer questions you may have about what's happening on Mount Iron Reserve. Email us at parksrequest@qldc.govt.nz or give our friendly customer service team a call on 03 443 0024.

For more details on how we are managing Mount Iron Reserve head to our QLDC webpage.