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Tracks & walks

Nelson/Tasman

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Nelson/Tasman

A-Z of Nelson/Tasman tracks & walks

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Abel Tasman Coast Track

Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks, is an easy 3 - 5 day tramp that features stunning coastal views and tremendous beaches.
Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track
Distance: 54.4 km
Completion Time: 3 - 5 days

Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track spans two areas. This link will take you to the information about the track, in the Golden Bay area.
Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track

Anatoki/Waingaro Circuit

Highlights on the circuit are: beautiful beech forest, dramatic gorge scenery, old gold workings, Lake Stanley with its rock debris dam and the historic pack track section. Mountain biking is allowed from the Uruwhenua Road end to Waingaro Hut.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Advanced ; Mountain biking - Expert
Completion Time: 3-5 days

Angelus Hut tracks and routes

Angelus, at 1650 metres, is perched high on the ranges between Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Category: Tramping track ; Route
Distance: 21.4 km one way
Completion Time: 2-3 days

Aorere Goldfields Track

Aorere Goldfields Track is a 3-hour loop, which gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Intermediate
Completion Time: 3 hr circuit

Boulder Bank

This 8 km walk follows an internationally renowned natural spit of boulders.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 2-3 hr one way

Cable Bay Walkway

Enjoy the coastal views on this walkway between Cable Bay and The Glen, near Nelson. Boating, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are all possible.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 3 hr 30 min one way

Douglas Range Route

The Douglas Range Route links Aorere Valley to Cobb Valley. This route guide describes the route from the Aorere Valley.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 5-7 days
Alert: Any trip in this area is a serious undertaking.

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park tramping tracks

Tramping tracks on Farewell Spit will take you to the cliff-top viewing platform of Cape Farewell and the dramatic views at Wharariki Beach.
Category: Tramping track

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park walking tracks

On the various walking tracks of Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park you can explore Wharariki Beach, the lighthouse and Fossil Point.
Category: Walking track

Flower Brothers Walk

From Lake Rotoroa car park, this track passes through a stand of kahikatea and around the lake outlet emerging on the road near Lake Rotoroa Lodge.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: 15 min return

Gibbs Hill mountain biking

Find out about mountain biking on the Gibbs Hill Track in Abel Tasman National Park.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Intermediate
Completion Time: 10 km one way from Totaranui to Wainui. Can be a 23 km loop using unsealed roads as well as track.

Harwoods Track

At the end of Harwoods Track is Harwoods Hole, the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand. Find out how to get there and important safety information.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 2.9 km one way
Completion Time: 45 min one way
Alert: Harwoods Hole is at the end the track. Children need to be supervised; it is very dangerous to approach the hole beyond the warning signs.

Heaphy Track

The 78.4 km Heaphy Track is the longest of the DOC Great Walks. Located in Kahurangi National Park, the track crosses expansive tussock downs, lush forests, and stunning coastline. Mountain biking is allowed on a seasonal basis.
Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track ; Mountain biking - Advanced ; Mountain biking - Expert
Distance: 78.4 km
Completion Time: 4-6 days (walking); 2-3 days (mountain biking)
Alert: 24 February 2012: Mountain biking is allowed on the Heaphy Track on a seasonal basis, from 1 May to 30 September.

Inland Track

The Inland Track spans two areas. This link will take you to the information about the track, in the Golden Bay area.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 38 km
Completion Time: 3 - 5 days

Inland Track

Inland Track travels through regenerating and undisturbed forest where tui, bellbirds and other wildlife can be seen. Occasional granite outcrops offer excellent views of the coast.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 41.1 km
Completion Time: 3 days

Kahurangi Point Route

Kahurangi Point is an unmarked route, mostly along the beach. If time allows, plan to stay overnight at Kahurangi Keepers' House, close to Kahurangi Point.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 3-4 hr

Kaihoka Lakes walk

This 10 minute walk begins beside one lake and heads gently down to the other.
Category: Walking track
Distance: 1.3 km
Completion Time: 10 min

Kaituna Track

Beautiful native forest and gold-mining relics are the main attractions of the Kaituna Valley. To walk the whole track takes 8-9 hours, or there are shorter walks from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 8-9 hr or shorter walks from 20 min to 2 hr

Knuckle Hill Track

From the top of Knuckle Hill are excellent views of the top of the South Island, particularly Farewell Spit and Whanganui Inlet.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Advanced
Completion Time: 1 hr 20 min

Lake Rotoiti short walks

Explore the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project. The wheelchair-accessible Bellbird Walk leads into Honeydew Walk.
Category: Short walk

Lake Rotoiti tramping tracks

Choose a tramping tracks in the area. You can circle around Lake Rotoiti, climb into the mountains above the lake or visit 40 m high Whisky Falls.
Category: Tramping track

Lake Rotoiti walking tracks

View the walking tracks in the Lake Rotoiti area of National Lakes National Park.
Category: Walking track

Lake Rotoroa walking tracks

Waterfalls, lakeside picnics and the tree fuschia await on the walking tracks of Lake Rotoroa in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Category: Walking track

Leslie-Karamea Track

This track, in the heart of Kahurangi National Park, gives a true backcountry experience for trampers, hunters and fishers. Mountain biking is allowed from Flora carpark to Barron Flat.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Intermediate ; Mountain biking - Advanced
Distance: 91 km
Completion Time: 6 - 9 days one way

Matiri Valley & 1000 Acre Plateau tramping tracks

It is a 3 hour walk to Lake Matiri. From there you can do overnight tramps to 1000 Acre Plateau.
Category: Tramping track ; Route

Mount Arthur Tableland tramping tracks

Find out about tramping tracks in the Mt Arthur Tableland area. Mountain biking is allowed from Flora carpark to Barron Flat.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Intermediate ; Mountain biking - Advanced

Alpine Route Mount Richmond Forest Park

The Mount Richmond Alpine Route spans two areas. This link will take you to the information about the track, in the South Marlborough area.
Category: Route

Mt Owen tracks and routes

At 1875m Mt Owen is the highest peak in Kahurangi National Park and on a fine day the views from this peak are spectacular.
Category: Tramping track ; Route
Distance: Courthouse Flat to Granity Pass Hut - 8.3 km
Completion Time: Northern access: 9 hr, Southern access 7 hr

Murchison day walks

Murchison is the gateway to the southern entrance to Kahurangi National Park. Find out about the short day walks accessible from Murchison.
Category: Short walk

Parapara Peak

The track to the summit of Parapara Peak (1249 m) is steep and difficult, and requires fitness and experience.
Category: Tramping track

Paynes Ford Scenic Reserve

Paynes Ford Scenic Reserve is known for its impressive line of bluffs and is one of New Zealand's popular rock-climbing areas.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 30 min one way

Pupu Hydro Walkway

Retracing an old gold-mining water race, this track passes through forest of young beech and rimu to mature podocarps.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1hr 50 min

Rawhiti Cave route

Rawhiti Cave has possibly the most diverse and extensive entrance - and twilight-zone flora of any cave in New Zealand.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 1 hr

Takaka short walks

Te Waikoropupū Springs, Milnthorpe Park and Grove Scenic Reserve are all a short drive from Takaka and have good opportunities for short walks.
Category: Short walk

Totaranui walks

Find out about the short and medium length walks around Totaranui.
Category: Great Walk/Easier tramping track

Travers-Sabine Circuit

The Travers-Sabine Circuit is a medium to hard tramp traversing 80 km of river valleys and an alpine pass in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 80 km
Completion Time: 4 - 7 days
Alert: The swingbridge down stream of West Sabine Hut (grid reference: E1574014 N5349529) crossing West Sabine River has been destroyed by flood.

Waimea Basin walking tracks

Looking for a short walk near Nelson or Motueka? Here are some walking tracks you might like to try.
Category: Walking track

Wainui Falls track

A stunning native bush track along the Wainui River leads to Wainui Falls, the largest falls in Golden Bay.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 1.5 km
Completion Time: 30 min

Wangapeka Track

It's a 4-6 day moderately difficult tramp along the Wangapeka Track in Kahurangi National Park.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 59 km
Completion Time: 4 - 6 days one way

Washbourne Scenic Reserve walk

The Washbourne Scenic Reserve is a delightful patch of forest, providing a very easy 15-minute walk.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 15 min return

Find out more

Publications

Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Safety alerts for Nelson/Tasman tracks

Contacts

Nelson Regional Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 546 9339
Address:	Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010
Email:
Full office details

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