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Mount Fishtail Route Mountain Bike Trail

Status

Extremely difficult

Difficulty

Extremely difficult

Distance

9.1m

Elevation

1394m
-26m

Rating

4.1 (1)

Description

Relentless, extremely steep, and extremely technical - strewn with brutal rock gardens and gnarly root infested chutes - Fishtail is a reputation track and among those that can actually ride it is considered possibly the best descent in New Zealand, and one of the best anywhere. To get to the top either push, carry and grovel with your bike up the track (riding up is impossible) or get a helicopter. Most people start the descent from the treeline but you could theoretically go from higher up if you happen to be Danny MacAskill or of similar ability. This is a backcountry track far from help if things go wrong so be prepared. In wet conditions the difficulty rating goes from "extreme" to "ridiculous". You have been warned.

Weather

Details

Condition

Wet

Dogs

Allowed

Physical rating

Extreme

Grade

15.1% avg, -11.2% max

Altitude range

239m to 1615m

Region

Nelson

Last updated

26 Mar 2026

Links

No links, yet!

Trail features

Rock Face

Nearby trails

Frequently asked questions

Explore this trail

View Mount Fishtail Route on the interactive map to see the full trail route and nearby trails.