4,495 ft
Distance
512 ft
Climb
-26 ft
Descent
00:15:11
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of The Bends Trail
  • Vestland Trails
    Builder

The Bends Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
  • Riding Area
    Arapuke Forest
    Palmerston North
  • Difficulty Rating
    Advanced rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Uphill Only
    Popular direction shown
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Garden
  • Global Ranking
    #132950 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    45 in Mountain Biking
  • Year Opened
    2020
  • Land Owner
    Palmerston North City Council

This climbing trail is perfect for those looking to do a 2nd lap of the park as it is only accessible at the River hub at the bottom end of either Kārearea or Chewbacca.

The Bends is a challenging climbing trail with an average gradient of 10%. It has plenty of twists and turns and the odd pinch, rock step and alternate extra hard lines thrown in just for fun. It's called The Bends not just for the tight turns, but also if you try and ascend it too quickly, you risk feeling a little unwell and perhaps even briefly losing consciousness ;-)

The reward for fitter riders is quick access back into the park network, or take Decompression to quickly get back to the Shuttle Pickup.

Access Info

River Hub at the end of either Karearea or Chewbacca.

Bike Park

Local Trail Association
  • trail association logo
  • Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
    trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for The Bends mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    487 ft
  • Altitude min
    587 ft
  • Altitude max
    1,074 ft
  • Altitude start
    587 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,073 ft
  • Grade
    10.8%
  • Grade max
    -16.6%
  • Grade min
    67.6%
  • Distance climb
    2,976 ft
  • Distance down
    502 ft
  • Distance flat
    1,017 ft
  • Avg time
    00:15:11
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Mar 1, 2023
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      Directions to the-bends trailhead (-40.473440, 175.614200)
      update trails status or condition

      The Bends Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Mar 1, 2023 @ 6:46am
      Mar 1, 2023
      		 Bit overgrown in sections
      Jan 3, 2023 @ 5:16am
      Jan 3, 2023
      Mar 7, 2021 @ 4:06pm
      Mar 7, 2021
      		 reporter
      Jan 16, 2021 @ 12:40pm
      Jan 16, 2021
      		 Dry throughout.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 4 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 30 rides
      • 15 miles avg distance
      All
      • 233 rides
      • Last: Dec 5, 2024

      Photos

      more »
      16 |
      Mar 7, 2023 @ 8:45pm
      Mar 7, 2023

      2 Reviews & Comments


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