Nelson Mountain Biking - Simply the Best!
The secret is out, Nelson has the biggest and best range of mountain bike trails in the country. We love sharing our world class mountain bike trails and parks
Bring your own bike or hire one of ours (acoustic or electric), including Santa Cruz as a premium option (advanced bookings essential)
Get your mates together and let us take the hassle out of organising your next adventure. We’ll use your ideas, our local knowledge matched with your fitness and skill levels to create a personalised itinerary to get you out there riding or shredding as much and as hard as you want
We have extensive, audited safety plans to ensure that we are best prepared for the expected and the unexpected so you can prepare, relax and ride. Let us take the hassle out of planning your next epic adventure!
Mountain Bike Parks
With epic trails set in a range of stunning locations, take time to explore the diverse range of wonderful MTB parks in the region
We have recently opened a mountain bike rental hub on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park has trails to suit all skill and fitness levels
Find us at Kaiteriteri waterfront to hire a ride. We have kids MTB’s, E-bikes, adult full suspension bikes both acoustic and electric. Hire a bike, ride for hours then hit the golden beach for a refreshing swim. There are cafes and bars to help you refuel and relive the highlights of the day
Other awesome MTB Parks include the Cable Bay Adventure Park and epic Wairoa Gorge with over 70km of hand-built kick-arse trails
Visit Nelson Tasman for as long as possible to fully appreciate this world-class riding region
Set on 250 hectares of regenerating forest, Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park trails are extended with exciting new tracks every year. Offering awesome trails for riders of all abilities, tracks are clearly marked from ‘Easy’ (Grade 1) to ‘Expert’ (Grade 5) in the upper reaches of the expansive park
You’ll be treated to some stunning views through native bush towards the islands and bays of the Abel Tasman National Park as you ‘send it’ down Karmakaze, Jaws or the new ridgeline track, Bad Jelly Download the trail map here
There’s a skills hub and pump track at the entrance to the park to practice and hone your skills. There’s truly something for everyone here. Face and body protection are strongly recommended for those attempting the black runs up high
We’ll be running shuttles to the top of the trails over the summer months to cut out the climbing and increase the shredding!
Come and find us right on Kaiteriteri waterfront to hire full suspension MTB’s (acoustic and electric options available). Ride straight into the trails set in the bush clad hills above the golden sands of Kaiteriteri
Shuttles available between Nelson and Kaiteriteri – see our Coastal Shuttle page for details. We will also be running shuttles to the top of the Kaiteriteri MTB Park over the summer months to cut out the climbing and increase the shredding!
You can also hire our Gentle Cycling bikes for the Great Taste Trail riding to Riwaka, Motueka and beyond
Located a short drive north of Nelson, Cable Bay Adventure Park has some awesome trails
Private shuttles are available to access the trails which are set in spectacular native forest and bush. There are an expanding number of options from Grades 3 to 5. With the trail characteristics of the Grade 4&5 tracks being steep, techy and rocky.
There’s a licensed cafe and other adventure opportunities, including the iconic Skywire. You’ll love this slice of adventure heaven!
Situated just south of Nelson, deep in the Wairoa Valley, ‘The Gorge’ is home to over 70km of world class hand-built single track
Trails start at Grade 3 and go all the way to Grade 6. You will get almost 1000m descent on every top to bottom run!
With huts available in the upper reaches, you’ll love the most ‘backcountry’ feeling bike park in New Zealand
Take our Shuttle
We operating our Coastal Shuttle from November to May based upon demand. Bookings are essential and the cost is cheaper for larger groups
You can bring your own bikes or hire ours. For pricing and further information call 0800 932 453 or email info@gentlecycling.co.nz
8:30am: Nelson (Rutherford Hotel, Top 10 Holiday Park)
9.00am: Tahuna Beach Holiday Park
9:30am: Richmond
10.00am: Mapua (Wharf)
10:30am: Motueka (iSite & Top 10)
11.00am: Kaiteriteri waterfront
4.00pm: Kaiteriteri
4.30pm: Motueka
5.00pm: Mapua
5.15pm: Richmond
5.30pm: Tahunanui
6.00pm: Nelson
Heli-Biking
Book a bucket list experience, experience some of the very best riding in Aotearoa
We have teamed up with helicopter companies to provide world-class Heli biking experiences. With endless trails in remote backcountry locations, you’ll love exploring the pristine peaks surrounding Nelson
There are riding experiences for riders of all abilities. Bring your own bikes or hire ours
Get in touch to plan your next awesome adventure! See below for the awesome descent from Coppermine Saddle to the Maitai:
This Great Ride is an underappreciated 40km trail full of fun and funky features. Most of the track is Grade 3, with an awesome Grade 4 descent from the Coppermine saddle, towards the Maitai valley
With a scenic flight to the mineral belt towards the summit of the historic Dun Mountain, you’ll be treated to views of lush bush and the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary – a huge fenced off bird haven similar to Jurassic Park… but without the teeth!
Ride down one side, or both. Each descent is different, but equally delightful.
Another former gold rush track set in the rugged Richmond Ranges. This grade 4+ track is definitely rugged, but heaps of fun for fit and accomplished riders
Hurry and book if you want to ride this stunning backcountry ride, the gold rush is back on and the whole area is staked for gold mining claims
Can be combined with a second lift to ride Mount Royal for the most hardcore riders!
This is regarded as one of the premier backcountry rides in New Zealand
Bringing together a combination of technical riding with Grade 4&5 sections, diverse scenery, with history and physical challenge
Can be combined with a second lift to ride Mount Royal for the most hardcore riders!
Unhinged and Maitland Trails are accessed from Beeby’s Knob. These are both grade 5+, very technical with many roots, drops and tight turns.
This is an organic, back country trail experience rather than well-maintained tracks.
Definitely not for the faint hearted, only fit, experienced riders who are keen for an extreme riding experience.
Another Grade 5+ rugged backcountry trail experience rather than well-maintained track
Definitely not for the faint hearted, only fit, experienced riders who are keen for an extreme riding experience
Can be combined with a second lift to ride the Wakamarina – for hardcore riders only!
Multi-Day Tours
Our team have the vans, trailers, boats and helicopters available to create multi day MTB tour packages for riders of all abilities and appetites
Let us book the accommodation, vehicles, coordinate the rides, with bad weather contingencies on hand and we’ll take the hassle out of planning your Nelson shred-venture!
Contact us below to discuss your ideas and preferences so we can create a personalised itinerary for you
This is delightful multi-day tour along Grade 3+ trail passes through pristine landscapes in the Kahurangi National Park
Traverse through Beech forest, Tussockland with Takahe and onto lush coastal Nikau / Podocarp forest.
Open for riding from May to November, we offer a fully supported and catered trip of a lifetime along my (Chris – business owner’s) all-time favourite multi-day trail. Call me for more information – 0212145254
This revived gold rush trail is 85km of mountain biking fun. Ridable year round, this Grade 4 trail will challenge and delight in equal measure
Not to be underestimated, this trail is technical in many places and requires a very good level of fitness if it is to be enjoyed in its entirety
Heli bike options are available for creature comforts and to cut out big climbs
You access the start of the trail by boat, weaving through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Ship Cove. The 73.5km track is Grade 3/4 and surrounded by lush bush and turquoise bays
Open year-round, this track is suitable for riders of moderate skills and fitness, although wet weather can make it more challenging
*The section between Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle is closed to bikes from 1 December to 28 February each year
Our Mountain Bikes
Now available for hire from Kaiteriteri waterfront!
Cannondale Moterra Neo 5
Full suspension Electric MTB
Moterra Neo 5: Pure Power Metal
An aluminium e-mountain bike with infinite capability for the steepest descents and the hardest climbs – with fully integrated all-mountain e-bike technology
Avanti Hammer S1
Full Suspension MTB
Avanti Hammer: The S line
These 29er, 130mm trail bikes, are engineered in Germany to be super-light, but tough enough to handle everything you throw at them
All bikes in the range feature Rockshox front and rear suspension, Syncros dropper posts, Shimano hydro brakes and SRAM’s excellent Eagle 12 speed drive trains
Book / Enquiry Form
Fill out the form below and we will get back to you asap to plan your next adventure!
Other Multi-Day Tours
Guided / Unguided
We also offer a great selection of un-guided and guided multi-day trip packages, that include bike hire (or you can bring your own), accommodation, transfers and more. Our guided multi-day trips on the Great Taste Trail are designed to enable you to ride the trail in a supported group, safe in the knowledge that you will see all the best things along the way
