Hidden deep within the mountains near Nelson, New Zealand, lies the Wairoa Gorge, a jaw-dropping bike park originally built as a private playground by a secretive billionaire. For years, these pristine, hand-cut trails were shrouded in mystery and only accessible by helicopter. Now that this incredible trail network has been gifted to the public, we’re checking out the insane terrain, the ultimate mountain huts, and riding the legendary “Dark Side.”
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 – The secret billionaire bike park
00:51 – Finding the Wairoa Gorge
01:49 – Checking into Gibbs Hut
02:49 – Who is Ken Dart?
04:18 – Inside Irvine’s Hut & the tool shed
06:39 – The ultimate bike room and living space
09:13 – Dropping into Jumanji
11:24 – How long is the descent?
12:00 – Riding the “Dark Side” (D.M.T)
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39 Comments
If you could design a dream trail network anywhere in the world, what kind of terrain would you build and who are the three riders you'd invite to rip it with you? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
The Gorge is a pretty special place.
My former business partner used to run a trail builder team there, they named one of the trails after him "Ruthless Toothless".
The gorge facility became essentially Aotearoa's university for trail building.
So many talented trailbuilders learned their craft in that place…. in that respect the Gorge is a place that is still giving to the riding scene in NZ and around the world due to the people that have become trail building masters in that place.
I actually knew about this since 2012, haha.. Just did not know where exactly it was.
"Cayman Island resident"…I wonder why
4:10 and … It's not going to get better for them. Inequality of that scale is not sustainable.
12:11 The guy's a billionaire, of course he uses DMT
Hell, yes. I’m sure you’ve looked into the Waltons…..
Looks fun 🎉👍👍🚵
As soon as it mentioned resides in the tax haven of the Kamen islands, switched off.
Not much info on access . Seems a bit difficult to get to and public access seems to be limited . What's involved with climbing trails .
I know of another billionaire bike park near me. I suspect it’s the same guys
Crazy!!! We want to see the others now hahaha
I rode there not knowing much about the place beforehand. After I said to myself how TF I haven’t heard about this place before?? 100%,worth the trip.
Keep in mind that their grade 3 runs are grade 4 in many places around the world 😊
Not sure if this is meant to be sarcastic or if someone paid for it. The house is NOT a billionaire house and the unnecessary praise is just cringy.
Sounds like a cool guy. Built mtb trails for the world to eventually enjoy while also keeping a ton of people employed.
A dream to ride 👌🏼, only if I was a better mountainbike rider
Thats so cool 🤙
Soo awesome!!
And what are both music soundtracks during cycling the trails?? 😮🔥
There’s another one in the States with similar rumours; Paradise Royale near Shelter Cove in California. It’s literally in the middle of nowhere.
I rode The Gorge in 2020 – completely unprepared for both the tech level and length of each run. My forearms were absolutely munted after our first drop.
Then, on just my second run, I lost my front wheel on Sewer Sidle which ended my riding for 12 weeks. Sigh.
The Gorge made me lift my tech riding and gave me confidence to ride lines I had previously thought impossible. It's incredible.
IMHO it is the best tech in NZ. Be warned though: Nelson trail grades are way higher than the posted signs…
Video never does justice, I have walked those DMT corners a few times..
'With You' by Dreem and DJ Seduce https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNLVs0EEwOg
Fantastic video really enjoyed this ! Epic adventure and a cool story. Brilliant. Dark side looked amazing !
Glad to see most comments are not drinking the kool aid and see this for what it is… Ya the trails are prob great but it's disgusting wealth
Jesus why can’t we just tax these idiots
Seems lonely
I've been building a trail close to my home for 6 years or so now. Wish there was a billionaire out there close to me that enjoys riding.
I heard of the Wairoa Gorge in 1990 from my late Mum's friends that migrated from Sydney to South Island . They loved bushwalking and found out about it though the National Parks Service . They discovered the trail construction in progress through a ranger contact at a later time . They saw some of the early construction in progress in the early 2000's . They live in nearby Wakefield and told my Dad about the project some years ago . They knew I loved XC mountain bike riding as I had a GT Zaskar when they lived with my family originally .
D.M.T eh, interesting name 🤔 maybe not just biking he was into 😂 and Dirty Deeds was definitely not done dirt cheap….
Them Crocs & Socks need to go!! 🤮
No gloves, no elbow, chest protector or fullface helmet, and you're riding a double-black diamond trail. Seems kinda irresponsible to me for content that is intended to inspire riders. 🤷♂
Wow
Hopefully they look at the UK fir his next build
Billionaires shouldn’t exist
what a job ,,keep trails open for bruce wayne ,,,do that here for hate.
You don’t end up a billionaire without upsetting people? Umm, ok.
Stunning 🤩🤩
It isn't a secret, not for a long time, but you'd think it was a secret with how ignorant the locals are of the park.
Anyone is welcome to come and ride there via the shuttles.
Wait, doesn’t he have his own channel? I think i’ve seen his vids before?