Hylton Park — locally known as Hylton’s Pit — is a compact mountain bike area on the northern edge of Whanganui, off Brunswick Road in Aramoho, about 5km from the city centre. Around 8.9km of hand-built cross-country singletrack plus a professionally constructed flow trail make it a practical and varied riding option: close enough to reach from central Whanganui without a car, and suited to both beginners and intermediate riders. The terrain is typical North Island hill country — short climbs and descents through scrubby bush — with the standout feature being Shredder, a 0.9km purpose-built flow trail that makes descending accessible for all skill levels.
Practical Information
| Location | Brunswick Road, Aramoho — opposite the Ravensdown Fertiliser bulk store |
| Distance from city | Approx 5km north via Somme Parade then Brunswick Road |
| Total trail distance | Approx 8.9km loop (including Shredder flow trail) |
| Difficulty | Grade 2–3 cross-country; suitable for beginners and intermediate riders |
| Flow trail | Shredder — 0.9km, professionally built, Grade 2 |
| Parking | On-road parking, Brunswick Road |
| Facilities | None on site |
| Cost | Free |
About the Trails
The Hylton Park trail network is a linked series of singletrack loops on the bush-covered hillside behind the park entrance. Trails are mainly Grade 2–3, with occasional steeper Grade 3 pitches. Short climbs are followed by rewarding descents throughout the network, keeping the riding engaging without requiring sustained effort.
Shredder is the standout feature: a 0.9km professionally built flow trail that drops from the top back corner of the park to the Brunswick Road gate. It’s faster and more polished than the handbuilt trails, with sculpted berms and rollers that suit riders still building confidence on descents. The flow trail runs in one direction — top to bottom — so reaching the start means climbing through the rest of the network first.
Trails are hand-built and maintained by the Whanganui Mountain Bike Club. Conditions are generally good but can deteriorate after heavy rain — checking the club’s updates before riding in winter is worthwhile.
Where to Learn More
Whanganui Mountain Bike Club — Hylton’s Pit — trail descriptions, current conditions, and updates from the club that maintains the tracks.
Trailforks — Hylton Park — trail maps, difficulty ratings, and user-reported conditions for all tracks in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hylton Park MTB area?
Off Brunswick Road, Aramoho, approximately 5km north of Whanganui city centre. Head north on Somme Parade, turn left onto Brunswick Road — the entrance is on the right, opposite the Ravensdown Fertiliser bulk store.
What grade are the Hylton Park trails?
Mainly Grade 2–3 cross-country singletrack. Shredder, the flow trail, is Grade 2 and accessible to most riders.
How long is the Hylton Park trail network?
Approximately 8.9km in total, including the 0.9km Shredder flow trail.
Is Hylton Park suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Grade 2–3 singletrack is manageable for confident beginners, and the Shredder flow trail is accessible once you’ve done the climb to reach it.
Is there parking at Hylton Park?
Park on the road outside the Brunswick Road entrance. There is no dedicated car park.
Are there facilities at Hylton Park?
No toilets or facilities on site. Nearest amenities are in Aramoho or Whanganui city centre.
For more cycling options around Whanganui, see Cycling Tracks in Whanganui. Araheke MTB Park at Lake Wiritoa is the other main mountain bike destination in the area.