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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users activity logs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more activities = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches
US Cell Coverage
Legend
Radar Time
Activity Recordings
Trailforks uses anonymized public activity data.
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks uses anonymized public activity data.
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Winter Trails
Warning
A routing network for winter maps does not exist. Selecting trails using the winter trails layer has been disabled.
Missing Trails
Most Popular
Least Popular
Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where users jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
BC Backroad Status
![map legend]()
Service Road Atlas is a free to use, community-driven service for viewing and creating reports on the numerous back-country service roads around B.C. and Alberta.
Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
Only show trails with no bike usage.
Suggested Layers
Based on selected activity type
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SaveTop of the south island city, famous for steep hills and rough natural terrrain.
Trail info last updated
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
329 trails
- E-Bike
214 trails
- Gravel Bike
154 trails
- Adaptive Bike
67 trails
- Winter Fat Bike
5 trails
- Hike
283 trails
- Trail Running
280 trails
- ATV/ORV/OHV
4 trails
Region Details
- 88
- 1
- 22
- 75
- 68
- 54
- 22
Region Status
Open as of 2 daysStats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 414
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 329
- Trails E-Bike
- 214
- Trails Gravel Bike
- 154
- Trails Adaptive Bike
- 67
- Trails Winter Fat Bike
- 5
- Trails Horse
- 1
- Trails Hike
- 283
- Trails Trail Running
- 280
- Trails ATV/ORV/OHV
- 4
- Total Distance
- 430 miles
- Total Descent
- 142,745 ft
- Total Vertical
- 5,722 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 5,726 ft
- Reports
- 12,115
- Photos
- 2,633
- Completed Counter
- 103,684
Articles
The NZ MTB Rally Returns With A Non-Racing Option in 2026
Oct 30, 2025 from pinkbike.com
Heli-drops and backcountry trails provided either way. All the details within.
NZ Mtb Rally Announce 2025 Event Details
Mar 11, 2025 from pinkbike.com
This looks like a ton of fun. The second edition of the epic 6-day enduro format adventure kicks off on March 22nd.
Race Report: New Zealand’s 2025 Enduro MTB National Championships
Mar 5, 2025 from pinkbike.com
The sixth edition of the event featured eight challenging stages spread across two days.
Video: Tom Bradshaw Rides New Zealand’s Privately Built Bike Park
Feb 22, 2022 from pinkbike.com
Tom shows you why The Gorge in New Zealand is his favourite place in the world to ride trail bikes.
Sub Regions
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"The Gorge" Mountain Bike Park
- 17
- 25
- 12
- 3
-
Aniseed Valley
- 3
-
Cable Bay Adventure Park
- 9
- 7
- 14
- 4
-
Codgers
- 1
- 1
- 5
- 7
-
Coppermine
- 2
-
Fringed Hill Nelson
- 1
- 7
- 5
-
Koata Park (formerly Maitai-Codgers)
- 3
- 10
- 7
- 3
-
Marsden Valley
- 4
- 6
- 3
-
Silvan Forest
- 7
- 23
- 9
- 5
- 2
-
The Grampians
- 1
- 2
-
Waitarake/Sharlands
- 2
- 7
- 7
- 4
Popular Nelson Mountain Biking Trails
• 100 ★ 3.4 • 2,388 ft • 307 ft • 1,564 •
Trail Grade updated 2021. Primarily a climbing trail that gives access to the start of the descending routes in the area. These include P51, Firball, Turners, Top Dog, Smasher, Hot Box etc. Chur Jack.
• 100 ★ 3.5 • 1,324 ft • 27 ft • 1,540 •
Short easy link Trail to return to Andrews Field or Brook Street/Dun Trail entrance. New trail grade in 2021.
• 100 ★ 4.4 • 1,421 ft • 115 ft • 1,408 •
Climbing trail from the Dun Mountain Trail to Jacks Hub. Leading to Crazy Horse, Jacks Track, then onto Firball, P51 and the Maitai Trails
• 100 ★ 3.2 • 2,684 ft • 141 ft • 1,396 •
Trail grade updated 2021. A moderate grade climbing trail from the skid site to the trig point and the start of Firball descent. Seating area and amazing views over Nelson await.
• 100 ★ 4.0 • 2,480 ft • 3 ft • 1,364 •
A short flowing family grade 4 - rollers, berms, table tops. Starts at 'Jack's Hub' at the top of Tasman Journeys, crosses the Dun Trail and finishes at the start of Young Codgers. New trail grade in 2021
• 100 ★ 4.3 • 2 miles • 39 ft • 1,363 •
Iconic and arguably Nelsons most popular trail for good reason. New trail grade in 2021.
• 90 ★ 4.3 • 2,904 ft • 18 ft • 1,108 •
Flowy Bermed track with optional jumps and alternate lines.
Nelson Mountain Bike Routes
The Gorge Route 6 Featured
3 • Shuttled •
One of the best advanced routes ever. A few( many) roots - a fantastic dry day route and an entertaining...
Maitai-Coppermine-Maitai Featured
★ 5.0 • 19 miles • 3,467 ft • 0 •
Coppermine 'Dun Mountain Trail' from the Maitai Esplanade (Campground) loop via Te Ara Kōpiko. Park at...
Pick & Mix Featured
20 miles • 4,603 ft • 45 • Loop •
Approx Ride Time: 3-4.5 Hours including stops. Permits: Permits are required, see...
Ollie's Choice Featured
15 miles • 3,974 ft • 22 •
Head skywards to Fringe then duck, dive and dodge down Black Diamond, Sunrise and Peaking. Bonus climb to...
★ 5.0 • 4 miles • 337 ft • 6 •
Stage Five: Natural Selection, Snakes & Ladders, Nigh Nighs, Wiener Rd, Free Range, Quattro &...
★ 3.7 • 27 miles • 5,463 ft • 4 • Loop •
This is a bit of a classic Nelson back country loop. This route goes from Brook Street, up to the Dun...
Photos of Nelson Mountain Bike
Videos of Nelson Mountain Bike
Current Trail Warnings
| status | trail | date | condition | user | info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linton Hill Track | Oct 31, 2026 @ 1:35pm (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | ChrisSingleton | ||
| What The DOC Ordered | Oct 29, 2026 @ 9:39am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 28, 2026 | Ideal | Love4riding WGTV | Needs a weed wack |
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lollipop | Nov 2, 2026 @ 11:14am (Pacific/Auckland) 2 days | Ideal | 007SteveChapman | ||
| Butters | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Maitai Face (full) | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Goat Hill Firebreak | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Dry | tamallama | ||
| Goat Hill Rd | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Te Piki (Maitai Face Climbing Trail) | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Maitai Recreation Hub Link | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Smasher (Lower) | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Smasher (Upper) | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama | ||
| Smasher Climb | Oct 31, 2026 @ 9:08am (Pacific/Auckland) Oct 30, 2026 | Ideal | tamallama |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| michaelz23 | add | directory | activity #107124216 | Nov 3, 2026 @ 7:38am 12 hours |
| stylinbill | ridden | trail | activity #107092032 | Nov 2, 2026 @ 2:33pm 1 day |
| D4zthem4n | wishlist | trail | activity #107050966 and 2 more | Nov 1, 2026 @ 6:54pm 2 days |
| D4zthem4n | wishlist | trail | activity #107050905 | Nov 1, 2026 @ 6:50pm 2 days |
| D4zthem4n | wishlist | trail | activity #107050551 | Nov 1, 2026 @ 6:30pm 2 days |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | I haven't actually ridden this trail but I... | Oct 29, 2026 @ 2:48pm Oct 29, 2026 | ||
| trail | Great track through lovely native bush. Very... | Oct 26, 2026 @ 1:42pm Oct 26, 2026 | ||
| trail | By far my favorite trail to finish on!!! | Oct 22, 2026 @ 2:04pm Oct 22, 2026 | ||
| report | 17.10.26 Rode through again and over-growth is... | Oct 18, 2026 @ 7:47pm Oct 18, 2026 | ||
| trail | Even though it's quite hard it's still fun! | Oct 8, 2026 @ 11:58am Oct 8, 2026 |
Local Badges
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Completionist0 awarded -
Top 10 Trails38 awarded -
Completionist0 awarded -
Completionist3 awarded -
Completionist0 awarded -
Completionist1 awarded
Bike & Skill Parks
| name | type | city | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Gorge" Mountain Bike Park | bike park | Nelson | |
| Nelson BMX Track | skill park | Nelson | |
| Branford Jumps | skill park | Nelson | |
| Matai Hub Pump Track | skill park | Nelson | |
| Matai Hub Pump Track | skill park | Nelson |
Local Trail Supporters
- GregNelson
- Greg McIntyre
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- http://www.mtbtrailstrust.org.nz/
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | activity logs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 329 | 347 miles | 122,372 ft | 172 miles | 5,295 ft | #74 | #4 | 2,580 | 12,094 | 74 | 79,720 | |
| E-Bike | 214 | 215 miles | 77,805 ft | 111 miles | 3,632 ft | #195 | #11 | 7 | 7,979 | 19 | 11,558 | |
| Gravel Bike | 154 | 200 miles | 30,236 ft | 73 miles | 3,320 ft | #91 | #4 | 1 | 777 | 6 | 161 | |
| Adaptive Bike | 67 | 105 miles | 13,422 ft | 34 miles | 2,828 ft | #48 | #3 | 1,736 | 2 | |||
| Winter Fat Bike | 5 | 7 miles | 2,369 ft | 4 miles | 3,031 ft | #190 | #9 | 249 | ||||
| Horse | 1 | 3 miles | 125 ft | 2,723 ft | 906 ft | 1,239 | ||||||
| Hike | 283 | 343 miles | 70,801 ft | 138 miles | 5,722 ft | #179 | #5 | 23 | 9,557 | 4 | 1,987 | |
| Trail Running | 280 | 337 miles | 70,079 ft | 135 miles | 5,722 ft | #137 | #2 | 15 | 9,505 | 3 | 7,638 | |
| ATV/ORV/OHV | 4 | 6 miles | 764 ft | 1 mile | 2,575 ft | #136 | #3 | 1,281 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best places to ride in Nelson?
Nelson has 11 areas to explore for mountain biking. The top rated areas are:
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What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Nelson?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in Nelson are:
- Peaking Ridge (4.7/5)
- Te Ara Koa (4.7/5)
- 629 (4.7/5)
- Creamed Rice (4.6/5)
- Pine Line (4.6/5)
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What is the best time of the year to ride in Nelson?
Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride in Nelson are:
- March (662 activities)
- February (478 activities)
- October (470 activities)
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Where can I park to ride in Nelson?
There are 15 parking locations listed in Nelson. The most popular parking spots are: View all parking and trailhead locations on the map to plan your visit.
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What is the longest trail in Nelson?
The longest trail in Nelson is Coppermine Trail at 18.9 miles. View all trails sorted by distance.
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What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Nelson?
The best hiking trails in Nelson are: View all hiking trails sorted by popularity score.
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What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Nelson?
The best trail running trails in Nelson are:
- Tamaki Steps
- Maitai Walkway
- Orphanage Stream Stopbank trail
- Saxon creek pathway
- Te Ara Kōpiko (Lower)
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How many trails are in Nelson?
Nelson has a total of 414 trails. Of those, 329 are designated for mountain biking. Browse top mountain biking trails in Nelson to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
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Which trail has the most elevation gain in Nelson?
The trail with the most elevation gain in Nelson is Mount Fishtail Route with 4,573 ft of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
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Which trail has the most elevation descent in Nelson?
The trail with the most elevation descent in Nelson is Coppermine Trail with 3,661 ft of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
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What activities are most popular in Nelson?
Nelson supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Gravel Biking, Adaptive Biking, Winter Fat Biking, Hiking, Trail Running, ATVing/Offroading.
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What bike services are there in Nelson?
The following bike services are available in Nelson:
- Bike Shop (7)
- Other (3)
- Shuttle Service (3)
- Trail Association (2)
- Club (2)
- Coaching & Camps (2)
- Guides & Tours (2)
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What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Nelson?
The steepest mountain biking trail in Nelson is Slingshot Climb with an average grade of 20.6%. View all trails sorted by grade.
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Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Nelson?
Yes, there are 5 scenic viewpoints marked along trails in Nelson. Some popular viewpoints include:
- Coppermine Saddle (878m)
- Third House Shelter
- Bay View Lookout
- Grampians Reserve Viewing Platform
- Viewpoint
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What trails have the biggest jumps in Nelson?
The trails with the biggest jumps in Nelson are: Browse all mountain bike trails to find trails with jumps and technical features.
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Are the trails open in Nelson?
The overall region status for Nelson is Clear / Green. Out of 328 trails:
- Clear / Green: 269
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 18
- Significant Issue / Amber: 9
- Closed: 32
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What are the trail conditions in Nelson?
Based on trail reports from the past week in Nelson:
- Ideal: 24 trails
- Dry: 4 trails
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Can I ride an ebike in Nelson?
Yes, Nelson supports e-bike riding. There are 201 trails in Nelson that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
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What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Nelson?
The most popular mountain biking routes in Nelson are: View all mountain biking routes in Nelson.
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What type of bike is most common in Nelson?
Based on activity log data, the most common bike types used in Nelson are:
- AM (387 activities)
- XC (9 activities)
- Gravel (2 activities)
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What is the highest summit in Nelson?
The highest summit in Nelson is Bounds at 6,654 ft elevation.
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What are the most popular Strava Segments in Nelson?
The most popular Strava segments in Nelson are:
- Smiths Ford to Poleford Bridge Gravel (7,722 athletes)
- New climb to jacks hub (6,078 athletes)
- 3rd House to BDR intersection (5,718 athletes)
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What are some popular technical trail features in Nelson?
There are 1 technical trail features (TTFs) in Nelson. Some popular features include: View all technical trail features in Nelson.
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What trails are closed in Nelson?
There are currently 32 closed trails in Nelson. The breakdown of all trail statuses is:
- Clear / Green: 269
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 18
- Significant Issue / Amber: 9
- Closed: 32
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Are there accessible or adaptive trails in Nelson?
Yes, there are 69 accessible/adaptive trails in Nelson. View all adaptive trails in Nelson for specific accessibility information.
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Are there local clubs or events in Nelson?
There are 5 local clubs or associations listed in the Nelson directory. Browse the local directory for details.
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Are there any mountain biking guiding or tour operators in Nelson?
Yes, there are mountain biking guiding and tour operators in Nelson: Browse all guiding and tour operators in Nelson.
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What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Nelson?
The most popular mountain biking trails in Nelson are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by popularity.
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What are the best beginner ride trails in Nelson?
The best beginner mountain biking trails in Nelson are:
- Easy Jump Line (2/5)
- Mid-Road Connection (3/5)
- Railway Reserve Track (5/5)
Activities
Trails
Points of Interest
- By bradical9 & contributors
- Admins: Aorere-Enduro, NelsonCouncil
- #5259 - 106,079 views
- nelson activity log | embed map of Nelson mountain bike trails | nelson mountain biking points of interest polygons
Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Nelson.
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