Tasman is a fantastic region for cycling. It has a network of dedicated cycle lanes and shared pedestrian and cycle paths, as well as many off-road tracks.
The Great Taste Trail provides multiple riding trails with wonderful ocean views for commuters and recreational riders. The hills and bays around the region provide ample opportunity for riding at all levels with a stunning backdrop. A flat ride from Richmond out to Rabbit Island is an easy ride and you can catch the ferry at Mapua and head on out to Kaiteriteri. The bike ride out to Brightwater takes you along the rivers’ edge where you will be on and off the road during your journey, this is a wonderful scenic ride. Many popular Tasman attractions are easily accessible via the cycle routes.
For those who like getting off-road, Tasman also offers plenty of excellent mountain biking for all skill levels through terrain ranging from mountains to bush, coastline to inner city off-road tracks.
Tasman's Great Taste Trail - Heart of Biking
MTB tracks in the Nelson-Tasman region - Nelson Trails
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to cycling in the Nelson Region - we have the Railway Reserve that is off-road all the way from Saxton Field into the heart of Nelson, popular with commuters, runners and dog walkers. With options to take the scenic route around the Coastal Track and the Great Taste Trail, past the airport and wind alongside the estuary. The newly opened section of the GTT links the airport track with the back beach via the Golf Course. From Nelson, the shared path heads North all the way to Atawhai to Clifton Terrace School, passing Corder Park which has a playground and a pump track, which make it a cool destination ride for whanau.
The gravel lovers and Mountain Bikers are just as lucky with the Coppermine Trail and Codgers which start up the Brook Valley and extend to the Maitai Dam and into the Maitai Valley, Nelson’s recreational Hub. Shared paths follow the Maitai River (except for one section from Nile St to Maitai Valley Road, where there is a shared path on Nile St) all the way up the Maitai Valley where there is frisbee golf, swimming holes and playgrounds to explore.
Great Taste Trail & Coppermine
More Nelson Cycling information
