Nelson Trails Overview

Grampians

Head for Nelson South and make your way into the hills and you’ll find the Grampians. There’s a mix of good intermediary single tracks but not all are open to bikes, so keep an eye on the signs.
Clover Knob

A short and sweet 1.5-2 hour ride suitable for all abilities. It’s 100% rideable and provides a great introduction to single track. A short 4WD ride takes you back to the Hacket car park.

Codgers

Head for Nelson East and you’ll find Codgers MTB Park nestled in the pines. The Tantragee loop is an easy going track while Dead Dog and IV Line are more technical. You can link with Dun Mountain.

Hira Forest Tacks

Access is off Sharlands Road (approximately 5km along Maitai Valley Road). There’s a mix of forestry trails and single track, some technical. Tracks can be combined to create a circuit.

Involution Track Marsden Valley

If switchbacks are your thing check out the Involution Track. It’s an intermediate ride if you take the 4WD Glider Road up.
Sunride Ridge

Those looking for a challenge will enjoy Sunrise Ridge, it’s a 4-5 hour rootfest accessible from the city. The area is exposed to the elements in parts and navigates thick bush. Carry water.

Tasman Trails Overview

Flora Saddle to Barron Flat

A backcountry ride through native forest trails passing historic huts. Mostly downhill if ridden from Flora Saddle. The ride is suitable for adventurous and fit intermediate riders. There are challenging sections with some carrying over obstacles and through stream beds. Best to organise drop off at Flora Saddle and pick up at Cobb Valley Road in Upper Takaka. This ride takes 4 to 8 hours.

Note: Route finding necessary, stream crossings may be impassable in heavy rain. This is remote backcountry riding so be prepared.
Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park

In the hills behind Kaiteriteri you’ll find the mountain bike park. It’s easy going single track and a great way to stretch the legs especially after a long drive. The entrance to the park is signposted off Martin Farm Rd. The top of the park has some more difficult trails but a permit is required, obtainable from the campsite.

Rameka

The Rameka track is the fun option to get from the top of Takaka Hill to Takaka, 33kms away. As you near the top of Takaka Hill, on the highway take the Caanan Road, turn off to the car park at the road end, it’s 11km of windy gravel roads so many just ride this. From the car park take the 4WD track on the far side of the gate and 1km along it you’ll find the signposted start of Rameka.

The descent is fast and technical in places with plenty of obstacles to navigate. If you have a 5-6inch travel bike you’ll be in your element. At the end of the Rameka Track you’ll find the ‘Pack Track’ which will connect you to the Project Rameka.

Golden Bay Trails Overview

Kaiteriteri MTB Park

Although not technically in Golden Bay it’s a short detour en route to this poplar holiday spot; in the hills behind Kaiteriteri you’ll find the mountain bike park. It’s easy going single track and a great way to stretch the legs especially after a long drive. Highlights are the big bermed corners. The entrance to the park is signposted off Martin Farm Rd and parking is available at beach car park. The top of the park has some more difficult trails but a permit is required, obtainable from the campsite.

Aorere Goldfields

An alternative to the loop is an 11km return ride to the Druggan’s Dam on a mix of 4WD roads and single track. If you’re riding the Heaphy you’ll be capable enough to ride this but there’s some puffing and carrying required on some of the climbs.

Look for some limestone formations named ‘Devils Boots’ on Devils Boots Road. Park up and ride up the road until you reach the signposted ‘Aorere Goldfields’ 4WD track on your left. Huff and puff your way up and turn right at the ‘Goldfields Walk’ signpost and follow the track to caves. From here there’s a technical track to the dam. For a technical descent do a u-turn and ride back out or ride around to Red Hill and down the 4WD track to Plain Road and back onto Devils Boots Road. Maps from DOC.
Flora Saddle to Barron Flat

The ride is suitable for adventurous and fit intermediate riders. There are challenging sections with some carrying over obstacles and through stream beds. Best to organise drop off at Flora Saddle and pick up at Cobb Valley Road in Upper Takaka. This ride takes 4 to 8 hours.

Note: Route finding necessary, stream crossings may be impassable in heavy rain. This is remote backcountry riding so be prepared.
Kill Devil

The trail is technical single track in rough remote terrain, much of it on scrubby exposed mountain tops. It starts with a tough climb of about 800m via 58 switchbacks. There are spectacular views as you get higher. Once on the ridge there are some smooth fast sections through to the historic Riordans Hut, or you can go the distance and drop into Waingaro Forks Hut.

Detail: 24km return technical rocky single track, alpine setting suitable for advanced riders. Expect to ride 90%, push and carry 10%. 4-8 hours to complete, plan and prepare, Topo Map BP24 Takaka.