4WD Trails in Nelson
101 trails in Nelson, New Zealand.
About Nelson
Nelson is a small but well-positioned region for 4WD access — flanked by Tasman to the west, Marlborough to the east, and the Kahurangi National Park to the north-west. The city is a practical staging point for multi-day South Island adventures.
Nelson's own 4WD tracks are modest but the region gives easy access to the Molesworth via the Wairau (through Tasman) and the West Coast via the Buller Gorge (SH6). The Dun Mountain Trail access and the Richmond Range back-roads give local options.
Nelson is one of New Zealand's sunniest regions and year-round driving is generally straightforward in the lower country. The Richmond Range tracks can be muddy in winter.
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Popular trails in Nelson
Showing 25–48 of 101 trails
Cummins Spur
Collingwood Track
Weir Track
Summit Road
Fireball-Maitai Walkway Link
Duckpond Road
Central Road Side Loop
Ludd Valley Left Fork Shortcut
East Ridge Track (Gully)
Goat Track
Gliding Glovers
Matai Track
Rush Early Exit
Chings Highway
Wells Hill-Bobs Fern Link
Bobs Fern Road
Thomas-Ludd Connection
Wells Hill
Sharland Creek Track
Beer Bottle
Thomas Road
Rimu Track
Fringed Hill Road
Sharland-Ludd Firebreak Connection
Frequently asked questions
What 4WD tracks are accessible from Nelson city?
The Richmond Range has several 4WD-accessible forestry tracks accessible from the Waimea side. The Dun Mountain Trail access from Nelson South has a 4WD-capable gravel section. For more variety, Nelson is best treated as a base for the Molesworth (3 hours via Renwick), the West Coast (2 hours via Murchison), or the Marlborough Sounds back-roads (1.5 hours). The region itself is light on technical 4WD terrain.