What if being able to ride a Grade 5 in Rotorua meant being able to ride a Grade 5 in Nelson? And riders who rode Grade 3 Great Rides could confidently ride Grade 3 singletrack around the country? Well, that’s what the Trail Guidelines intend to achieve.

After months of research and review, the newly released New Zealand Mountain Bike Trail Design Guidelines have been released and are being distributed to trail builders nationwide, through Trail Fund. Updated by Recreation Aotearoa in partnership with DOC, Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails, ACC, and Sport NZ, the aim is to provide safer, more consistent, and more inclusive trail experiences to riders across the country by providing clear guidance for everyone involved in their design, construction, and maintenance.

Developed in consultation with trail builders, land managers, and riding groups nationwide, this third iteration of the guidelines includes everything from fine-tuned grading specs to new chapters on signage, auditing, safety, maintenance, adaptive access, and more.

The impossible task of updating the guidelines to the satisfaction of trail builders and mountain bikers across the country was led by Jonathan Kennett—who most will know from the Kennett Brothers long-time contributions to MTB grading and guideline development in Aotearoa.

“It was always going to be a challenge aligning different features into a single grade, because mountain biking is so diverse,” said Jonathan. “But I think where we’ve landed will please 99% of riders. The biggest change in the guidelines has been allowing steeper gradients and more features for downhill tracks, Grade 4 and 5 in particular, without those tracks becoming completely unsustainable. We’ve largely done this by adding new guidance for rollovers and chutes, which can be quite steep, so long as they have a reset section at the bottom.”

Why is the guidance needed?

The update comes in response to a Coroner’s recommendation to align trail safety guidance nationally, as well as mounting ACC injury claims. With over 5,500 injury claims and $22 million in ACC costs last year alone, ACC sees this unified approach as both timely and necessary.

A key step in unifying the approach was having the country’s two largest trail building organisations—DOC and Ngā Haerenga— on board. With DOC confirming it will transition to using the new guidelines, and Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails aligning its own specifications accordingly, the 2025 edition is a true national reference point—streamlining previously fragmented guidance into one accessible framework. “ACC is proud to support the updated guidelines, which are all about helping people enjoy mountain biking safely,” says Kirsten Malpas, ACC Public Health and Injury Prevention.“Consistent signage and trail grading helps riders choose the right trails for their skill level and reduces preventable injuries.”

Trail Fund invests in getting guidance in the right hands

“The Coroner’s recommendation is an admirable and valid request,” says Trail Fund co-president, John Humphrey. “But a monumental task for a trail system largely built by disparate volunteer groups around the country. That’s where Trail Fund comes in—we are the only national organisation liaising with trail builders around the country and we’repleased to be involved with this ongoing initiative.”

One of the key differences in this update is the addition of a Trail Builders’ Handbook, which offers trail crews a concise, field- friendly reference—complete with diagrams, benchmarks, and design dos and don’ts for each of New Zealand’s six MTB trail grades. These handbooks are well suited to be distributed by Trail Fund, which has carried out training for hundreds of volunteer trail builders over the past decade. The organisation is also well placed to encourage clubs to use them, especially those who receive funding from Trail Fund.

“We appreciate that every area and club is different, and trail builders collectively hold a broad range of skills and approaches,” says John. “However, we are confident those involved have done their homework and put forward high-quality guidelines that provide a robust framework for trail building around the country.

“This doesn’t mean the conversation is over. This is the third iteration of these guidelines, and we look forward to working with the trail building community on implementation to support the evolution of mountain biking and trail building.”

Trail Fund NZ will continue acting as a conduit between builders and Recreation Aotearoa, helping to channel on-the- ground feedback to ensure the guidelines stay relevant as the sport evolves.

What’s new?

This third edition builds on the earlier 2018 and 2022 versions. Key changes include:

Updated grading guidance:

Small but significant refinements have been made to gradient ranges, minimum widths, radius, and jump length specifications. These tweaks are intended to better align guidance with the realities of today’s trail construction and riding styles.

New chapters on signage and auditing:

For the first time, the guidelines offer detailed templates for signage and safety warnings, developed with input from the NZ Land Safety Forum. An auditing chapter is designed to help clubs and land managers assess trail conditions and confirm grade accuracy.

Improved safety design:

The safety chapter directly responds to coroner recommendations and ACC data. It introduces practical methods for designing fall-safe trails, assessing hazards, and mitigating risk without compromising rider enjoyment.

Stronger focus on inclusivity:

Building on the Outdoor Accessibility Design Guidelines released earlier this year, the guidelines provide specific direction for adaptive MTB trails, including grade specs and facilities for riders on three- or four-wheeled bikes.

New Trail Builders’ Handbook:

A complementary Trail Builders’ Handbook offers trail crews a concise, field-friendly reference—complete with diagrams, benchmarks, and design dos and don’ts for each of New Zealand’s six MTB trail grades.

What it means in practice

Over the years, trail riders have lamented how a Grade 5 trail in Rotorua differed from a Grade 5 trail in Nelson. Based on the newly published guidelines, here are the differences:

Grade 4 – Advanced

Track width 0.6–1.0m
Surface Mostly stable, but may include loose rocks or variability
Obstacles Up to 200mm high
Berms Up to 40°
Jumps 1–7 m long, 10°–30° ramps; all features must be rollable
Drops Up to 400mm, rollable
Uphill steps Up to 200mm
Concurrent features Up to 3 at a time
Risk Exposure possible; suitable for riders with excellent skills and experience

Grade 5 – Expert

Track width 0.4–0.8m
Surface Widely variable; roots, rocks, ruts common
Obstacles Up to 500mm high
Berms Up to 50°
Jumps 1–12 m; may not be rollable (b-line or bypass required)
Drops Up to 1,000mm
Uphill steps Up to 500mm
Concurrent features Up to 4 at a time
Risk Steeper, narrower, and more technical than Grade 4; higher exposure and consequences

Where to find the Guidelines

The full New Zealand Mountain Bike Trail Design Guidelines and the new Trail Builders’ Handbook are now available online at Recreation Aotearoa, Trail Fund NZ, DOC, and other partner websites. Printed handbooks are being distributed to trail building groups around the country via Trail Fund NZ.

To support understanding and adoption of the new content, Recreation Aotearoa is hosting two free webinars in late August—one for land managers and one for trail groups. Registration links are available online.