Whether you’re a keen mountain bike enthusiast, an avid road cyclist, or just a visitor looking to get active on some of our renowned leisurely cycle trails, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here in Nelson Tasman.

Cycling is an integral part of Nelson Tasman’s culture, and it’s not uncommon to see groups of bikers perched up at Mapua Wharf in the afternoon sun, exploring our boutique vineyards, tearing it up at the mountain bike parks, or taking in the spectacular sights along our coastal roads. As one of six regions in the world graded Gold Ride status by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, key highlights in our extraordinary region include The Great Taste Trail and The Coppermine Trail.

The Great Taste Trail is a scenic urban and coastal cycle route that wraps up and showcases to riders the very best that Nelson Tasman has to offer. Stretching a whopping 174km, the ride can easily be broken up into bite-sized pieces for leisurely morning rides or afternoon adventures. Weaving through cute country lanes and along the spectacular coastline, riders are treated to unparalleled views of Tasman Bay, the picturesque Waimea plains, the rolling Moutere hills, and the mountainous ranges that encircle them.

No shortage of options to explore Nelson Tasman’s extraordinary cuisine, the trail is lined with vineyards, cellar doors, craft breweries, artisan stalls, and a selection of restaurants and eateries to indulge in the region's Great Tastes. What’s more, with a range of art galleries and attractions accessible just a few minutes from the trail, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore other parts of Nelson Tasman along the way.

Meanwhile, just a few minutes from Nelson City, The Coppermine Trail follows the path of New Zealand’s first railway route, making it one of the country’s most accessible alpine rides. Climbing to a height of 878m, the summit of the trail offers spectacular views over the stunning natural landscapes that Nelson Tasman is renowned for, before riders embark on a steep and challenging 10km descent to the Maitai Dam.

Nelson Tasman is also home to a network of mountain bike parks, from those that backdrop the bustling city centre, to those further afield like the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park that backdrops the stunning Abel Tasman National Park. And that’s not all. The Nelson Mountain Bike Club one of the biggest in the world, plans to develop a range of new and exciting trails are well underway, and are set to take the mountain biking community by storm in the coming months.

For those keen on a bit of back-country riding, the Heaphy Track which is located in the Kahurangi National Park is open to mountain bikers from May through to November each year. Not for the faint-hearted, the track is a whopping 82km long and traverses dense beech forest, expansive tussock plains, and rocky marble outcrops.

cycling great taste trail nelson

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