Nelson is a region in New Zealand's South Island, known for its diverse landscapes that support a wide range of outdoor activities. The area features extensive coastlines with beaches, picturesque alpine lakes, and rugged mountain ranges, providing varied terrain for exploration. Situated at the top of the South Island, Nelson offers a unique blend of natural features, making it suitable for several sports like jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
The Nelson…
105
Routes
4.8
(54)
Average rating
1090
People visited

4.8
(6)
48
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
26
riders
47.5km
03:06
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(3)
19
riders
30.4km
01:40
150m
150m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(4)
18
riders
27.7km
01:33
140m
140m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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53
runners
17.8km
02:01
430m
430m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
runners
6.18km
00:38
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
runners
5.06km
00:32
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
31
hikers
6.06km
01:36
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
22
hikers
20.0km
05:31
330m
330m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
hikers
3.72km
01:00
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
hikers
6.61km
01:44
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
35
riders
39.8km
02:44
650m
650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
38
riders
23.0km
01:24
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
riders
61.7km
04:25
1,200m
1,200m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
34.2km
02:23
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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34
riders
67.5km
03:07
620m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
21
riders
65.1km
03:05
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

25
riders
49.7km
02:27
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
39.8km
02:18
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.0
(1)
7
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

13
riders
44.8km
02:39
230m
230m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
riders
10.2km
00:48
170m
180m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
43.0km
02:57
690m
690m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Nelson offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including Jogging, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Hiking, and Gravel biking. The region features varied terrain from coastlines to alpine lakes and mountains. More than 100 routes are available across these sports.
Nelson features 114 routes for various outdoor activities on komoot. These routes have been explored by more than 58,000 visitors. The average rating for routes in Nelson is 4.57 out of 5 stars, based on over 4,500 ratings.
Jogging routes in Nelson include coastal paths, river trails in the Maitai Valley, and tracks within local reserves and national parks. Options are available for various skill levels. A comprehensive guide to these routes can be found in Running Trails around Nelson.
Nelson is known for its mountain biking trails, catering to various skill levels. Notable locations include Codgers Trails near the city center and Kaiteriteri MTB Park. The Coppermine Trail also offers extensive networks. Further details are available in MTB Trails around Nelson.
The Great Taste Trail is a prominent touring cycling route in Nelson, forming a 124-mile (200 km) loop. This trail connects vineyards, orchards, and coastlines across the region. Additional touring options are detailed in Cycling around Nelson.
Nelson offers a variety of hiking trails, from easy walks to more challenging routes within its national parks. Options include the Cable Bay Walkway and trails in the Maitai Valley. Guides like Easy hikes around Nelson and Family-friendly hikes around Nelson provide specific recommendations.
Nelson's landscapes are diverse, encompassing coastlines with golden sand beaches, alpine lakes like Rotoiti and Rotoroa, and rugged mountain ranges. The region also features dense beech forests and unique geological formations such as Te Waikoropupū Springs and the rock arches of Wharariki Beach.
Komoot offers several guides for Nelson, covering various sports and interests. Examples include Running Trails around Nelson, Road Cycling Routes around Nelson, and Traffic-free bike rides around Nelson. These guides provide curated route suggestions and information.
Yes, Nelson provides opportunities for gravel biking, utilizing its diverse terrain and extensive trail networks. Specific routes and information for this activity can be found in the Gravel biking around Nelson guide.
For official tourism information about the Nelson Tasman region, the primary resource is the nelsontasman.nz website. The Nelson Regional Development Agency, which serves as the Regional Tourism Organisation, can be contacted at +64 3 546 6228 for general inquiries.
Nelson offers traffic-free cycling routes, providing safer and more relaxed experiences for cyclists. These routes often follow dedicated paths or quiet roads. Information on these specific options is available in the Traffic-free bike rides around Nelson guide.
Three national parks are located within a 1.5-hour drive of Nelson City: Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park, and Kahurangi National Park. These parks offer diverse outdoor experiences, from coastal walks to alpine adventures.

