Mount Fishtail Route Mountain Bike Trail
Status
Difficulty
Extremely difficult
Distance
9.1m
Elevation
1394m
-26m
Rating
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
NelsonLast updated
26 Mar 2026
Links
No links, yet!
Trail features
Rock Face
Frequently asked questions
Explore this trail
View Mount Fishtail Route on the interactive map to see the full trail route and nearby trails.