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 49–72 of 101 trails
Ludd Valley Left Fork Shortcut
Black Diamond
Lower Road
Fringed Hill-Maitai Firebreak
Andrews Kink
Summit Road
Pipeline
Sunrise Ridge
College Track
Peaking Ridge
Supplejack
Fringed Hill-Maitai Firebreak
R
Fringed Hill-Maitai Firebreak
Groom Creek
Flybuys
Grampians Lower Traverse
Broken Axe
Maitai Caves Track
Third House-Jenkins Hill Track
South Branch Road
Rush Pool Road
Coppermine Trail
Coppermine Trail
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.