Nelson Tasman is home to a number of New Zealand's Great Rides, and it's easy to see why.
Selected by New Zealand Cycle Trail, these rides showcase the very best of the countries stunning natural landscapes, extraordinary environment, surprisingly diverse culture and unique heritage.
From the leisurely Great Taste Trail to the challenging Heaphy Track, riders of all levels can enjoy the Great Rides that Nelson Tasman has to offer.
The Great Taste Trail loops 174km around Nelson Tasman’s finest coastal and urban areas, and treats riders to an array of extraordinary sights and experiences, from cellar doors and vineyards, to waterfront dining and cool-store galleries, all the way to historic rail tunnels and riverside routes. The trail is able to be broken up to accommodate short day rides, or multi-day adventures.
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.
Suitable for advanced mountain-bikers, the 82km Heaphy Track traverses a variety of ruggedly beautiful landscapes in the Kahurangi National Park, meandering across diverse terrain, suspension bridges, rocky riverbeds and steep slopes. The multi-day ride is not for the faint hearted, and is only open for mountain-bikers from May through to November.
A place of rural charm, gold mining heritage and stunning natural landscapes, the Old Ghost Road stretches a whopping 75km over mountains and valleys, and through rushing rivers, rewarding riders with breath-taking views of open tussock tops, braided rivers and lush native forest.
