4 minute read
Coppermine Trail
BROOK STREET, NELSON ROUND TRIP - 4-6 hours, 43km
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On the map this track loops favourably behind the city’s borders, but some seriously wild surprises lie in wait.
Should you be prone to stopping often to smell the flowers, allow a full day to complete this stunning alpine ride. Otherwise, four to six hours will suffice. Before heading out from central Nelson, allow the good city folk to serve you a cup of their finest coffee; you won’t find a smoother drop.
From Nelson i-SITE the full loop is 43km, shortened to 38km if you start and finish at the Brook St trailhead (as described further on in the 'Riding the Trail' section). Soon enough you’ll be riding through spectacular hill country via Codgers Mountain Bike Park before joining the old tramway, believed to be New Zealand’s first railway. The terrain then climbs gently through sweet-smelling forest, with head-turning views back towards Nelson and Tasman Bay. Upon arriving at Third House, 660m above sea level, join the weka for a picnic.
As the trail continues to undulate upwards, the landscape takes on an almost lunar-like appearance and Windy Pt (both by name and by nature) is the trail’s loftiest: sitting 878m-high on the Coppermine Saddle. The section between here and Maitai Dam can be seriously hair-raising but a side trip to Maitai Caves reveals enchanting grottoes. You’ll need to dismount and walk 30 minutes each way, but it’ll provide some respite from the demanding terrain.
The final section follows a bushy ledge skirting the river before dipping back into Nelson. Those with an enviable amount of stamina can return via the slightly harder Maitai Valley Walkway.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
BROOK ST TO THIRD HOUSE, 11.5KM - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
THIRD HOUSE TO COPPERMINE SADDLE, 6KM - GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE- ADVANCED)
COPPERMINE SADDLE TO MAITAI DAM, 9.6KM - GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATE- ADVANCED)
MAITAI DAM TO BROOK ST, 11KM - GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Good coverage close to the city, and at points on the climb to Coppermine Saddle, Third House being one point. Once past Third House coverage is very poor.
DRINKING WATER: Sufficient water should be carried to last the entire day. Supplies are readily available in Nelson city.
TYPE OF BIKE: A ship-shape mountain bike is essential for this trail.
RIDING THE TRAIL
BROOK ST TO THIRD HOUSE, 11.5KM - The trail begins in the lower reaches of Codgers MTB Park, a fun place to ride with trails to suit most abilities.
The trail soon joins the old railway, a narrow gauge, horse-drawn operation that is considered New Zealand’s very first railway. It was used to transport chromium copper from hillside mines – hence the name ‘Coppermine’.
The old railway line makes for a steady but gentle climb around the flanks of Wooded Peak, aptly named for its cloak of regenerating and mature beech forest. The views back towards Nelson, Tasman Bay and faraway ranges become evermore impressive as you progress.
Third House, the basic shelter at 660m above sea level, is an atmospheric place to rest with the possibility of a weka wandering in.
THIRD HOUSE TO COPPERMINE SADDLE, 6KM - As the trail undulates upwards, the landscape begins its drastic transformation from bushy to bald, before long ushering riders on to an exposed ridge with stunted mānuka and other hardy plant life. Welcome to the so-called mineral belt, studded with strikingly coloured rocks.
At Windy Pt – which probably will be – the trail continues as single track for a couple of kilometres before reaching the trail’s highpoint, Coppermine Saddle (878m). New views of the Maitai Valley and Richmond Ranges are revealed around these parts, which combined with its rugged beauty make it a pretty awesome spot to stop for lunch.
COPPERMINE SADDLE TO MAITAI DAM, 9.6KM - Get ready to rumble, because this is a wild ride of fast-forward, big corners and rock-dodging. Expect watery eyes, white knuckles and an ear-to-ear grin.
After recent work to upgrade the descent from the Saddle to Maitai Dam this section shouldn’t present too much of a problem to most grade three riders, it’s a steep gradient to begin with but around three quarters of the way down, the gradient eases and the track undulates towards Maitai Dam. Open stretches of flowing track offer a chance to open up the throttle a bit but be aware that this is a dual-use track.
After crossing the Maitai South Branch Bridge, note a left turn onto a walking track signposted to the Maitai Caves. This is a worthwhile side trip if you don’t mind locking your bike to a tree or walking with it for the half an hour each way. The stunning caves are well worth the side-trip.
MAITAI DAM TO BROOK ST, 11KM - The final section of the Coppermine Trail parallels Nelson’s water pipeline on a cruisy, bush-lined trail on a ledge above the river. After around 4km, at Smiths Ford, the trail joins the quiet Maitai Valley Rd. Tired riders can simply follow the road back to Nelson, while those with gas left in the tank can follow the only marginally harder Maitai Valley Walkway – you can follow this all the way back to the i-SITE, or detour into the backstreets to close the loop back to the Brook St trailhead. A map or Google will get you there.
Nelson City Council Mayor, Rachel Reese
