COPPERMINE
Coppermine Trail © Virginia Woolf Photography
Trail
GREAT RIDE • COPPERMINE TRAIL
TRAIL INFO
BEST FOR: Wilderness on Nelson’s doorstep: one of New Zealand’s most accessible alpine rides.
BROOK STREET, NELSON ROUND TRIP 4-6 hours
43km
On the map this track loops favourably behind the city’s borders, but some seriously wild surprises lie in wait.
S
hould 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 CBD the full loop is 43km, shortened to 38km if you start
and finish at the Brook St trailhead (as described on the following page). 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 sweetsmelling forest, with head-turning views back towards Nelson and Tasman Bay. Upon arriving at Third
4-6 Hours 43km
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 past Windy Pt (both by name and by nature) to Coppermine Saddle at 878m. 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. Global conservation starts right here in Nelson. The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary is a 700 hectare mainland ‘ecological island’ that adjoins this trail. While riding, listen look out for the South Island saddleback, or tīeke, and the orange-crowned parakeet also known as the kākāriki karaka.
TRAIL GRADES: BROOK ST TO THIRD HOUSE, 11.5KM GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) THIRD HOUSE TO COPPERMINE SADDLE, 6KM GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATEADVANCED) COPPERMINE SADDLE TO MAITAI DAM, 9.6KM GRADE 3-4 (INTERMEDIATEADVANCED) 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. GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) GRADE 4 (ADVANCED)
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