Mountain biking accommodation in Nelson, close to Koata Park and Fringed Hill

Why riders stay at Bridge House

• Close to the trailheads — the Codgers Recreation Hub, the start for Koata Park, Fringed Hill and the Coppermine Trail, is about 3 km by road: roughly 15–20 minutes by bike or 5–10 minutes' drive. The Maitai Hub at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course is about 4 km away, up the Maitai Valley.
• Garage for bikes and gear — the garage is empty, so there's plenty of room for several bikes, helmets, shoes and riding gear during your stay.
• Washer and dryer — wash and dry your riding kit between rides.
• Room for four riders — a king bedroom and a double bedroom. That suits two couples, or four friends who are happy to share a bed. Up to two infants can stay as well.
• Refuel at home — a full kitchen for big breakfasts and trail lunches, and decks with a BBQ for after the ride.
• Plan the next ride — fast Wi-Fi for checking trail status and forecasts, and self check-in.
• Walk to dinner — central Nelson's restaurants and bars are about ten minutes' walk away.

The house is single level inside, with three steps up to the front entrance. The minimum stay is two nights, and stays of seven nights or more booked direct get 10% off. Travelling with a dog? Up to two well-behaved pets are welcome, with no pet fee when you book direct. Please read our pet policy first, as the backyard isn't escape-proof for small dogs.

Check availability and book direct

Local knowledge from Michael

Your host Michael is German and a mountain biker. If you'd like a hand, he can help you organise bikes for your trip and share his local knowledge, such as which areas suit your group and what to check before you go. Just email us at mail@nelsonbridgehouse.co.nz, in English or German. Mountainbiken in Nelson: Infos auf Deutsch.

This is a friendly offer, not a service we sell. Bike hire, guiding, shuttles and other transport, repairs and equipment are not included in your stay. You book and pay for them directly with the operator. Nelson has bike shops and operators that hire out mountain bikes, and commercial shuttle operators run riders up to areas such as Fringed Hill.

Mountain biking or cycle touring?

Nelson is known for both, but they're very different days out.

• Cycle touring — Tasman's Great Taste Trail is a long-distance cycle trail. Its coastal sections are graded 1–2 and are largely flat, along the Waimea Inlet, and inland sections pass vineyards and orchards. On Grade 1 trails most bikes are fine, including hybrids and e-bikes. The trail starts about 1.5 km from the house.
• Mountain biking — narrow singletrack in the hills behind the city and in the forests around Tasman Bay. Trails range from easy loops for beginners to Grade 5 and 6 (expert and extreme), and many rides start with a long climb. On the harder trails, expect roots, rocks, steep sections and drops. You'll need a mountain bike and the skills for the grade you choose.

The rest of this guide is about mountain biking. For relaxed riding along the coast, see our Great Taste Trail guide.

Mountain biking near Bridge House

The Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC) builds and maintains more than 150 km of local trails, with the help of volunteers. Its website has a page for each riding area, with a map, a trail status panel (powered by Trailforks) and the access rules. Much of the riding close to town is on land owned by Ngāti Koata or Nelson City Council, and parts of it are working pine forest managed by Tasman Pine Forests Ltd. Access depends on agreements with the landowners, so please follow the rules for each area.

Koata Park (Codgers)

This trail network starts on the edge of the city, at Brook Street and the Codgers Recreation Hub (enter off Tantragee Road). Nelson City Council provides parking, toilets and a bike wash at the hub. Under a 10-year recreation access agreement between the council and Ngāti Koata, signed in 2024, the Codgers and Fireball area is being renamed Koata Park, though the club's website and many riders still call it Codgers.

The club describes a wide range of trails, from easy, meandering singletrack for beginners and families to double-black downhill trails for experts, set around three hills that rise to about 400 m. The trails are well signposted, and you can ride for 30 minutes or several hours. The Codgers–Maitai area, on the northern side, has trails that mostly drop into the Maitai Valley. See the club's Codgers and Codgers–Maitai pages for maps and trail status.

Fringed Hill

Fringed Hill Road begins at Tantragee Saddle above Koata Park, and you can reach it from either the Brook Valley or the Maitai Valley. The club marks Fringed Hill as permit required (see permits and access), because most of the climbing tracks are on Ngāti Koata land managed by Tasman Pine Forests. From the Maitai side, park at the Maitai Hub at the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course and climb the Te Ara Kōpiko trail to Tantragee Saddle, then carry on up the Fringed Hill climb. For a more technical way down than the Coppermine Trail descent, the club suggests coming down Fringed Hill's western side. Details are on the club's Fringed Hill page.

Waitarake (Sharlands) and the Maitai Face

Waitarake, formerly Sharlands, is in the Hira Forest off Maitai Valley Road. It's Ngāti Koata land managed by Tasman Pine Forests, and the club notes it is often affected by closures for forestry work. Normally, Sharlands Road, an easy gravel road up the valley, links several downhill trails, and the club rates Supplejack, Matai and Rimu among Nelson's finest technical trails. The Maitai Face trails finish on Maitai Valley Road, and the club says you reach them by Central Road or the Te Piki climbing trail. The free recreation pass doesn't cover the Sharlands trails, so check the club's Waitarake page for access before you go.

Access update: in Tasman Pine Forests' public access notice for the week starting 28 September 2026, Waitarake was open only via the new access trail beside Sharlands Road, starting from the Sharlands car park. Sharlands Road itself was closed to the public as an active logging-truck route, and the Maitai Face could only be reached by the climbing trail from the Maitai Valley. Check the latest weekly notice before you go.

Coppermine Trail (Dun Mountain Trail)

The Coppermine Trail, also called the Dun Mountain Trail, is one of New Zealand's Great Rides and a full-day ride. It starts at the same Brook Street trailhead, climbs through Koata Park and follows the route of the Dun Mountain Railway, New Zealand's first railway, up through pine and then native forest. According to Heart of Biking, the trail's official website:

• Distance — the full loop is 43 km from the city centre, or 40 km if you start and finish at the Brook Street trailhead. Ride it in one direction, from Brook Street to the Maitai Dam and back down the Maitai Valley.
• Grade — Grade 3 on the climb to Coppermine Saddle (878 m), then Grade 4 on the 9.6 km descent to the Maitai Dam. The full loop is best for fit, experienced singletrack riders on full-suspension bikes.
• Time — 4 to 6 hours of riding, but allow a full day.
• Shorter options — if you're less confident, turn around at Third House or Coppermine Saddle and ride back the way you came. On the way up, Bullock Spur (305 m) has a picnic table, and Third House (660 m) has a shelter, picnic table and toilet.
• Be self-sufficient — you'll be a long way from help in an alpine environment, mobile coverage is patchy and Heart of Biking suggests a personal locator beacon. Take enough food and drink, spare tubes, first aid and wet- and cold-weather gear.
• No dogs — dogs aren't allowed on the Coppermine Trail.
• E-bikes — under the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails policy, power-assisted bikes are allowed on the Great Rides if the pedals are the main means of propulsion and the motor is no more than 300 W.

The climb to Third House is also a popular walk, so ride with care around walkers. The last section follows the Maitai Valley back towards town, and the Maitai River path is a few minutes' walk from the house.

Marsden Valley

On the southern side of the city, the Marsden Valley Reserve is council land with trails managed by the club. The club describes a grunty climb up Glider (Barnicoat) Road to the firebreak, then a choice of carrying on up Widdershins to ride Involution, or dropping back down the firebreak or the Convolution track. The top of Widdershins is on the Barnicoat Range ridge, which links to other areas. See the club's Marsden Valley page.

Mountain biking further afield

• Richmond Hills and Silvan Forest — the club describes the Richmond Hills as fun, flowing Grade 3+ trails, reached from Easeby Park off Marlborough Crescent in Richmond, with a Grade 3 climb and several Grade 3–4 descents. Nearby, Silvan Forest is a privately owned 180-hectare forest that its owners have opened to recreation.
• Rabbit Island (Moturoa) — flowing off-road trails built and managed by Tasman District Council, good for families and newer riders. Part of the Great Taste Trail passes through. Tasman District Council doesn't allow dogs on Rabbit Island, and it can close the island's internal forest tracks for forestry work or fire risk. Check its Moturoa / Rabbit Island access and updates page.
• Cable Bay Adventure Park — a privately owned park north-east of Nelson, with trails mostly in native forest: several Grade 3 trails from top to bottom, Grade 4 options, and steep, technical Grade 5. Access is by day pass or yearly membership, and the park hires out bikes, including e-bikes. See Cable Bay Adventure Park.
• The Gorge (Wairoa Gorge) — a bike park in the Wairoa Valley, south of Nelson, operated by the club. It has more than 70 km of hand-built singletrack from Grade 3 to Grade 6 (about half the trails are Grade 4), with shuttle uplifts and almost 1000 m of descent on each top-to-bottom run. The park says it's about an hour from central Nelson, and you must book before you ride. See The Gorge's website for shuttle days.
• Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park — about 1–1½ hours' drive away, at Kaiteriteri Beach and part of the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve. The 180-hectare park is mostly in native bush, with easy, intermediate, advanced and expert trails. The wide, gentle Easy Rider trail is part of the Great Taste Trail, and there's a pump track. Park at the main car park opposite the beach and take the short ride along the Great Taste Trail, or use the mountain bike car park on Martin Farm Road. Maps are available for a gold coin donation at the Kaiteriteri Beach Camp office and local bike shops, and on the park's website. Some trails are one-way and some are for walkers only, so follow the signs. Pair it with a swim, or with a day in Abel Tasman National Park.
• St Arnaud and Golden Bay — for longer trips, the club lists trails at St Arnaud, near Nelson Lakes, and in Golden Bay. See the club's trails pages.

Permits and access

Several of Nelson's riding areas are on private or iwi-owned land, and access depends on following the rules. At the time of writing, this is what the club and the operators say:

• Fringed Hill and Koata Park (Codgers) — the club says you need a permit to ride Fringed Hill. Either join the club (an annual permit is included in NMTBC membership) or register for the free recreation pass online, which covers the Codgers/Maitai and Fringed Hill trails.
• Waitarake (Sharlands) — the club's page says the council's agreement with Ngāti Koata gives public access to the mapped trail areas, but it also marks Waitarake "permit required", and the free recreation pass doesn't cover it. Check the club's Waitarake page, or ask the club, before you ride.
• Tasman Pine Forests permits — Tasman Pine Forests' weekly notices say you don't need its own recreation permit in the council's recreation areas in Hira Forest (Koata Park, Fringed Hill, Waitarake and the Maitai Face). Elsewhere in its forests you need a TPFL permit unless the notice says otherwise, and some forests are closed to recreation.
• The Gorge — you must book ahead. Club members get discounted access.
• Cable Bay Adventure Park — buy a day pass (for riding during business hours) or a yearly membership from the park. Mountain bike club members get a discount.

Joining the club is worth considering even for a short visit: the club asks riders to join because membership helps pay for trail maintenance.

Trail status, forestry and fire closures

Trails around Nelson can close at short notice for forestry work, fire risk, storm damage or pest control. The club's advice is simple: follow all closure signs, fencing and notices, and when in doubt, don't ride.

• Trail status — check the status panel on the club's page for the area you're riding. The panels come from Trailforks, which also has maps, but signs on the ground always come first.
• Forestry — Tasman Pine Forests posts a weekly public recreation access status for its forests, which you'll find on the club's Tasman Pine Forests info page. Its forest rules ban fires and smoking, and say forests can close at any time because of operations or hazardous conditions.
• Wind — as of late September 2026, Tasman Pine Forests' weekly notices warned of damaged and hazardous standing trees in many of its forest areas, and asked people not to enter its forests for recreation in windy conditions or when wind is forecast.
• Fire risk — in a dry summer, Nelson City Council closes reserves and their tracks on Fire and Emergency New Zealand's advice. The club notes that the highest-risk reserves, including the Maitai Water Reserve and Marsden Valley, can close earlier than others. Check the club's notices and Nelson City Council's website for closures, and the fire season on Fire and Emergency's Check it's alright website.
• Pest control — the council's annual cull of deer, pigs and goats temporarily closes some reserves and trails, including around Codgers and the Coppermine Trail. The club and council post the dates.

Mountain bike trail grades

Nelson's club trails use the New Zealand mountain bike grades, from 1 (easiest) to 6 (extreme). Here's a summary of the club's trail grades page:

• Grade 1 (easiest) — fairly flat, wide, smooth track or gravel road.
• Grade 2 (easy) — mostly flat with some gentle climbs, on smooth track with obstacles that are easy to avoid.
• Grade 3 (intermediate) — steep slopes and/or avoidable obstacles, possibly on narrow track or with poor traction. There may be exposure at the outside edge.
• Grade 4 (advanced) — long, steep climbs, narrow track, poor traction and obstacles that are hard to avoid. Generally exposed at the outside edge, and most riders will walk some sections.
• Grade 5 (expert) — technically challenging, with giant climbs, narrow track and hazards such as dangerous drop-offs, sharp corners and difficult obstacles. Expect walking and possibly carrying your bike.
• Grade 6 (extreme) — downhill and freeride tracks, with extremely steep sections, large drop-offs and unavoidable obstacles, possibly including built features and jumps.

The Coppermine Trail and the Great Taste Trail use the similar New Zealand Cycle Trail grades. If you're new to Nelson, start a grade below what you ride at home and work up.

Trail etiquette

Most trails here are on land that riders have been given permission to use, so how you ride matters. The club's own code is short: have fun, be considerate, and don't litter. The Mountain Bikers' Code, from the Mountain Bike Association of New Zealand (published by NZ Cycle Trail), adds:

• Respect others — stay in control, give way to walkers, and use a bell or a greeting when you come up behind people. Ride shared tracks in small groups (six to eight at most), and pull over to let faster riders past.
• Respect the rules — ride only where it's permitted, keep off closed tracks, and leave gates as you find them.
• Respect the track — don't skid, cut corners or make new lines. Avoid riding in mud and rain where you can, as wet tracks are easily damaged. Take your rubbish home.
• Keep it clean — clean your bike to stop the spread of weeds. The bike wash at the Codgers Recreation Hub is handy for this.

Before you ride: a checklist

1. Check trail status on the club's page for the area, and the weekly Tasman Pine Forests access status if you're riding in its forests.
2. Check for closures: forestry, fire risk and pest control. Look at the council's track closures page and Fire and Emergency's fire season information, and obey every closure sign on the trail.
3. Sort out your permit: the free recreation pass or club membership for Fringed Hill and the Codgers/Maitai trails, the right access for Waitarake, a booking for The Gorge and a day pass for Cable Bay.
4. Check the weather on MetService. Stay out of the forests when it's windy, and give wet trails time to dry.
5. Ride within your ability: choose trails by grade, and walk anything you're not sure about.
6. Carry the essentials: water, food, a spare tube, pump and tools, a first aid kit, a warm and waterproof layer, and a charged phone. For remote rides like the Coppermine Trail, consider a personal locator beacon.
7. Tell someone your plan, especially if you're riding alone.
8. Flying in with your own bike? The Ministry for Primary Industries says used sports and outdoor equipment must be declared on arrival. Clean your bike thoroughly of soil and plant material before you pack it.

Mountain biking in Nelson: FAQ

More from Nelson

For rest days, see our guide to things to do in Nelson, walks in Nelson and free things to do. Planning around a race or festival? See what's on in Nelson.

Book your riding base

Trail access, permits, grades and closures change, sometimes daily. Please check with the Nelson Mountain Bike Club, Nelson City Council, Tasman Pine Forests and the park operators before you ride. Travel times are approximate and based on OpenStreetMap routing.