Are you looking for somewhere a bit different to go cycling in Christchurch?
Bottle Lake Forest Park is a place where you can cycle through the forest, come across a little fairy village and even make your way to the beach.
I explored the area on a mountain bike, and it turned out to be a rather interesting little adventure.
The Fairy Village at Bottle Lake Forest Park
In the park, the first thing I stumbled upon was a lovely fairy village.
There were lots of tiny, handmade fairy houses attached to some of the trees. They were colourful, and each one had its own character. Some small doors even said “Welcome Fairies”.
I’d never seen anything like it before, and I had no idea it was there. I was surprised and impressed at the same time. There were so many little houses that I almost expected fairies to come out of them!
I reckon children would particularly enjoy this place. But adults can have fun too, looking at all the different houses the children have made.
Apparently, the fairy village may have started during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when families were looking for ways to keep their children entertained. I don’t know whether that’s actually true, but it’s a nice story.
Mountain Biking Through Bottle Lake Forest to Waimairi Beach
I planned to head to the beach, cycling through the forest.
I was riding a mountain bike, which was a good choice for the tracks I took. Most of them were unsealed, with plenty of bumps and ups and downs, although there were some paved sections too.
Cycling through the trees felt lovely, even if the ground wasn’t always smooth.
At some point, a gate leading to the beach was closed, so I had to make a detour. I hadn’t really checked the route, so I ended up relying on my hunch and sense of direction.
After cycling over a little hill, the beach finally came into sight.
There was also a bike track running along the beach. I could see the sea as I cycled, which felt fantastic! After riding through the forest, it was nice to have such an open view.
Waimairi Beach: A Quiet Spot to Relax
Waimairi Beach was wide, quiet and not crowded at all. There were only a few locals around, enjoying a stroll with their dogs.
The water looked quite shallow to me. I could see a few people swimming quite far out, which made me think the water stayed shallow for some distance.
What I liked about this beach was how peaceful it was. With so few people around and plenty of space, I thought it would be a lovely place to spend some quiet time by the sea.
On this particular day, strong winds made cycling back home demanding. I couldn’t help but retreat into the forest again to avoid the headwind.
Is Bottle Lake Forest Park Worth Visiting?
I think it’s a great place to enjoy mountain biking, and you get to spend some time at the beach as well.
I wish I’d come here in summer. Imagine cycling through the forest, getting all hot and sweaty, and then jumping into the sea to cool off! I would’ve loved to do that.
Overall, I found it a peaceful and pleasant place to spend a few hours. If you enjoy cycling and fancy a bit of time by the sea, it’s worth considering.
Before visiting, check the official Christchurch City Council information about Bottle Lake Forest Park for access details and any track closures.
I’ve also written about my cycling trip to Sumner Beach and Scarborough Beach, if you’re interested in exploring more of Christchurch by bike.
