Pan Pac Eskdale MTB Park is Napier’s substantial dedicated mountain bike park — over 70 km of trails covering three forestry blocks in the Esk Valley north of Napier, with rides ranging from easy Grade 2 cruisers to demanding Grade 6 descents. Built and maintained by the Hawkes Bay Mountain Bike Club (HBMTBC) on Pan Pac Forest Products’ working forestry land, the park requires either club membership or a visitor permit for access — and is one of the largest MTB parks in the central North Island.
Practical Information
| Location | Esk Valley, north of Napier — ~20 minutes’ drive north on SH2 then Pakuratahi Road |
| Trail network | 70+ km across three blocks: Waipunga, Tait and Replanted |
| Trail grading | Grade 2 (easy) to Grade 6 (extreme); most trails Grade 3–4 |
| Access | HBMTBC membership OR visitor permit required (managed by the club) |
| Cost | Membership / permit fees apply — check HBMTBC for current prices |
| Facilities | Parking; no toilets or water on-site — bring everything you need |
| Suitability | Riders of all abilities; minors require adult supervision and helmets are mandatory |
| Conditions | Closed during heavy rain and forestry operations; check HBMTBC for status |
About Pan Pac Eskdale MTB Park
The Pan Pac Eskdale MTB Park sits in a substantial working pine forest north of Napier in the Esk Valley. The park is built and maintained by the volunteer Hawkes Bay Mountain Bike Club in partnership with Pan Pac Forest Products, who own the land. Riding is permitted through a membership and visitor-permit arrangement that funds trail maintenance and ensures riders are insured.
The park’s three blocks cover different riding experiences and terrain:
- Waipunga Block — open trails through young pine saplings with substantial views east across the Esk Valley to the sea and the city of Napier. The most exposed and most scenic riding.
- Tait Block — shaded, young pine forest. Cool riding on hot summer days; technical fast singletrack.
- Replanted Block — mature pines with the original older trails; best suited to more experienced riders.
The trail network includes well-known runs like Porridge (easy down, intermediate up), Nuclear Blast (easy down, very hard up), Rollie (intermediate) and Powerline. New trails are added regularly by the volunteer club.
Trail Grading
The Pan Pac trail network covers the full range of MTB difficulty grading. The official NZ Mountain Biking Network grades are:
| Grade 2 — Easy | Wide, easy trails with smooth surfaces. Suitable for beginners and families with kids. |
| Grade 3 — Intermediate | Singletrack with roots, small drops and modest climbs. Suits competent riders. |
| Grade 4 — Advanced | Faster singletrack with technical features; experienced MTB riders. |
| Grade 5 — Expert | Steep, technical, with substantial drops. Expert riders only, full protective gear. |
| Grade 6 — Extreme | Demanding technical riding for very experienced and confident riders only. |
Most of Pan Pac’s trail-by-trail listings are at HBMTBC’s site and on Trailforks, with up-to-date grading and condition reports.
Access and Membership
Access to the park requires either HBMTBC annual membership or a visitor permit. The arrangement is straightforward — you join the club online or buy a day/week permit, which funds the trail building and maintenance and provides riding insurance through the club. The system is unusual but standard for many NZ MTB clubs operating on private forestry land.
The park is closed during heavy rain (to protect the trails) and during active forestry operations (for safety). Check the HBMTBC website or Facebook page for current status before heading out — closures are announced in real time.
What Visitors Often Say
Riders who use Pan Pac consistently rate it as one of the central North Island’s best mountain bike parks — over 70 km of well-built trails across three distinct forestry blocks, ranging from beginner Grade 2 to expert Grade 6. The Waipunga block trails with the Esk Valley views and the older Replanted block technical singletrack get the most enthusiastic mentions.
Practical tips that come up often: join the Hawkes Bay Mountain Bike Club (annual membership) rather than buying day permits if you’ll visit more than a few times — and always check the HBMTBC Facebook page before driving out, as the park closes for heavy rain and active forestry operations. No toilets or water on-site, so bring everything.
Where to Learn More
Hawke’s Bay Mountain Bike Club — Pan Pac Trails — the club’s official Pan Pac page with trail descriptions, membership info and current status.
Trailforks — Pan Pac MTB Park — interactive trail map with detailed trail-by-trail grading, GPS routes and current conditions.
Hawke’s Bay NZ — Pan Pac Mountain Bike Park — regional visitor guide with access and ride information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Pan Pac MTB Park?
The park has over 70 km of trails across three forestry blocks (Waipunga, Tait, Replanted).
What grades are the trails at Pan Pac MTB Park?
Grades 2 to 6 — beginner-friendly Grade 2 trails through to extreme Grade 6 descents. Most trails are Grade 3–4 intermediate.
Do I need a permit for Pan Pac MTB Park?
Yes — either Hawkes Bay Mountain Bike Club membership or a visitor day/week permit is required. Both fund trail maintenance.
Where is Pan Pac MTB Park?
In the Esk Valley north of Napier — about 20 minutes’ drive north on SH2 then west on Pakuratahi Road.
Is Pan Pac MTB Park suitable for beginners?
Yes — Grade 2 trails in the Waipunga Block suit beginners and families. Start with the easier options before stepping up to the technical trails.
When is Pan Pac MTB Park closed?
During heavy rain (trail protection) and during active forestry operations. Check HBMTBC’s website or Facebook for real-time status.
Are there facilities at Pan Pac MTB Park?
Parking is available; no toilets or water on-site — bring everything you need including water and tools.
For other Napier cycling options, see the cycling tracks hub. The flat Marine Parade Walkway is the easiest cycle option in the city itself.
