Castle Rock Scenic Reserve is a hillside reserve in Heathcote Valley, Christchurch, known for its lava boulders and its views over the city. It is also a mountain bike track. The track picks its way through the boulders, and the council rates it as a grade 4 advanced track, steep, narrow, with poor traction and exposed edges. The council suggests it as a step up for riders who have only ridden smooth single tracks, such as Bowenvale.
Reach the top by heading up Mount Pleasant Road to Summit Road, or by biking up the Bridle Path Track, and the track is signposted at both ends. A small pull-off is on Summit Road, and the track starts on a single track that runs east below Summit Road before it switches back to the top of the Bridle Path and Summit Road. Visitors describe it as a quiet place to walk and get away from the noise of the city. They praise the views, and one says the climb over the rock gave a splendid view of the city, even for someone who is not fond of heights. For a walker or rider in Christchurch who wants a rocky reserve with a view, the reserve offers both.