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Gravel Riding in Nelson, New Zealand: Hidden Gems Beyond the Famous Trails

The first time I rolled my bike out onto the forestry access roads above Nelson, I felt like I’d stumbled into a secret world. Everyone talks about Nelson’s mountain biking—rightly so, it’s world-class—but tucked in behind the same foothills that give us legendary singletrack lies a network of gravel roads just waiting to be discovered. For those interested in gravel riding New Zealand, Nelson is an underrated paradise.

At first glance, it doesn’t look like much more than a tangle of forestry tracks. But once you start piecing them together, the scale is staggering. Within just 15 km of Nelson’s city centre, there are around 90–120 km of publicly accessible gravel roads. Stretch that circle out to 50 km, and suddenly you’ve got 250–300 km to play with. Push it further to 100 km, and you’re looking at around 600 km of potential routes—all a stone’s throw from town. That’s a lot of adventure packed into a place most visitors don’t even realise exists, and it highlights why gravel riding New Zealand is becoming such a sought-after experience.

Access and Advocacy

Now, I’ll be honest—these roads aren’t just sitting wide open. Many wind through private forestry estates, and getting access hasn’t been straightforward. But thanks to years of patient work by the Nelson City Council and the Nelson Mountain Bike Club (which, fun fact, has over 3,500 members—making it one of the largest in the southern hemisphere!), we now have incredible recreational access. Their mahi (work) has shaped Nelson into one of the best riding hubs in the country, not just for mountain bikers, but for gravel explorers too. It’s a good reminder that gravel riding New Zealand relies on the efforts of local clubs and councils and local landowners to keep these networks alive.

The Classic: Coppermine Trail

If you’re new to Nelson gravel, the Coppermine Trail is a great place to start. Setting off right from the city, you follow the old Dun Mountain Railway tramway line on a steady, manageable gradient. I love how the ride shifts through landscapes: first the shade of beech forest, then into the striking, mineral-rich Dun Mountain Belt where the rocks glow with reddish hues and the vegetation turns almost lunar.

When you crest Coppermine Saddle at 878 m, the payoff hits you: sweeping views out toward the rugged ridges of the local mountains in Mount Richmond Forest Park. The descent from there is a grin-inducing 10 km mix of rocky flow, corners, and technical spice—enough to challenge your handling but still rideable on the right gravel setup. A gentle cruise along the Maitai Valley trail delivers you back to Nelson, tired legs and all. For many who travel here, this trail represents one of the best introductions to gravel riding New Zealand has to offer.

Gravel Riding New Zealand: The Hira Gravel Loop

While the Coppermine gets the spotlight, the Hira Gravel Loop—cheekily nicknamed the “Hira Ice Cream Loop”—is one of those rides that deserves cult status. It’s about 50 km in total, starting from Nelson City. The loop winds into the Hira Forest (also known as the Sharlands/Waitarake Trail network), crossing a mix of gravel roads, quiet forestry easements, and shady stretches beneath pine and native tree cover.

The beauty of it lies not just in the riding, but in the midway reward: a much-deserved stop at the Hira Dairy(convenience store), famous locally for its giant ice creams. Nothing beats leaning your bike against the fence, helmet still askew, as you demolish a scoop or two before rolling back toward the coast. It feels both quirky and wholesome—exactly the kind of detail that makes a local loop unforgettable.

The final section drifts along rolling coastline before carrying you gently back into Nelson. It’s peaceful, never overcrowded, and for international visitors, a brilliant way to experience the Kiwi blend of semi-wilderness and coastal riding without leaving the city’s orbit.

You can find a video on how to ride the loop on our youtube channel here, and you can see the route on trailforks here

Tips for Visiting Gravel Riders

One thing I always say to newcomers: gravel grading is as subjective as mountain bike grading, and Nelson has a reputation for technical trails. Don’t underestimate it. If you’re travelling, I’d recommend a solid grade 3-4 gravel bike setup—something like a MonsterCross build is ideal to really get the most out of both climbs and rowdier descents. And if you’re eyeing up multi-day bikepacking epics like the Kahurangi 500,we have options to rent a proper bikepacking rig well-suited to the challenge, which are also great for doing a more leisurely lap of both the routes described above.

Why This Matters to us

I write about these rides not just because I run an adventure business, but because I still feel that childlike excitement every time I find a hidden gravel ribbon cutting through forest or dropping me down toward the bay. It reminds me that you don’t always need to cross the world for adventure—it can be tucked right here behind your own backyard.

Keen to Ride?

If Nelson’s gravel gems have caught your imagination, I’d love to help you find the right loop or plan a custom adventure. Gravel routes around here can feel hidden if you’re new, but that’s what makes them special—each one is a story waiting to unfold.

So what do you think—would you pick the Coppermine, the Hira Ice Cream Loop, or another gravel adventure for your first ride in Nelson, New Zealand?

If you fancy more hidden gems and trail stories, check out our other posts or sign up for the newsletter.

Happy pedalling!