Mountain Bike Trails in Fringed Hill Nelson

629

After a steep climb up the 629 firebreak, prepare for a steep, rooty forest section down to the road, which drops into a steep chute to a bit more forest before dropping through 3 steep linked turns out into open swoopy pumpy singletrack which sidles down the hill and back in to narrow native singletrack with steep hairpins and chutes..... Basically a whole sh*# ton of fun New trail grade in 2021.

Black Diamond

A steep technical climb from fringe hill to sunrise ridge, for most people there will be a lot of pushing/carrying. There are also a few steep techy downhill sections that make up for the walking. New trail grade in 2021.

Black diamond Third House Link

New trail grade in 2021.

Butters

Rooty, rocky, off-camber, all of the very best of Nelson. Start at Te Ara Koa, Fringed Hill and follow the 'Butters' signs. New trail grade in 2021.

Cranknstein

Raw native trail, lots of rocks and off camber roots with a couple of chutes and jumps to keep things interesting. New trail grade in 2021.

E Tū

E Tū (Eeh too). To stand, rise up. A cruisy climb to the summit of 629 and Sunrise Ridge.

FDH

Another of Nelsons stand-out trails and the quickest descent from Fringed Hill through native beech forest. The Nelson Mountain Bike Club holds one of its DH rounds here, however AM bikes are equally at home on this fun fast boss of a trail New trail grade 2021.

FDH/TAK Link

Mutleys

A serious route that can have consequences, but then that's what gives Mutleys its Nelson grade 6 status. Hand-built single track through some amazing native forest as the route winds its way through rock-chutes, drops, off camber roots with stunning views over the Richmond Ranges.

Peaking Ridge

One of the Crown Jewels of nelson riding a long, fast, rooty downhill, with a few technical chutes and features thrown in. New trail grade in 2021.

Right Crank

Sunrise Ridge (East)

A technical sidle up and down sunrise ridge to peaking. Prepare for roots, roots and more roots, this ones a lot of fun Just remember, momentum is your friend Black Diamond to Peaking grade 5, between 629 and Peaking is grade 6. New trail grade in 2021.

Sunrise Ridge (West)

A technical sidle up and down sunrise ridge to peaking. Prepare for roots, roots and more roots, this ones a lot of fun Just remember, momentum is your friend! Black Diamond to Peaking grade 5, between 629 and Peaking is grade 6. New trail grade in 2021.

Te Ara Koa

Te Ara Koa (translated as "Trail to Happiness") opened in October 2017 after thousands of hours of graft from the Nelson Mountain Bike Club's volunteer builders. 5.1km long, dropping 700m, through native bush. It's hand built pure singletrack with plenty of small natural features to keep you on your toes. The trail starts on an easy gradient but is made challenging by a carpet of ancient tree roots and plenty of off camber. After the first 1000m it gets into a well-benched traverse and the flow comes at you thick and fast. After 3.5km you cross the historic Dun Mountain Railway trail, after which Te Ara Koa keeps on going at the same grade right down to Brook Street, just 10 minutes from Nelson CBD.If you are fit and eager you can tick off the climb and descent in under 2hrs, but most people will take 2.30/3hrs at a steady pace with a long stop at the top to enjoy the incredible views over Tasman Bay to Kahurangi National Park and Mount Arthur. The trail uses Ngati Koata and Nelson City Council land, who supported the build process. New trail grade in 2021.

Te Ara Whakaheke

Te Ara Whakaheke is a 1 km black diamond, downhill-only singletrack near Nelson. Purpose-built for the 2025 National School MTB Championships DH races, it offers riders a fun, challenging and fast descent. The trail carries a piece of Nelson’s mountain biking history — it follows the line of one of the area’s original tracks, formerly known as Devil’s Tail, which was lost during a forestry harvest. The new build pays homage to that classic route, closely mirroring the original trail.

Whaimana

A super-fun trail, steep, lots of loamy corners, some off-camber and a few dusty chutes (but with great catch berms). Easier than 629 & Peaking Ridge, if you can ride Aorere you should be sweet with this one. Take it easy right at bottom, the trail drops into a fence you won't get your handlebars through (which I assume is to stop you riding out onto the road). New trail grade in 2021.