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.
Browse by area
Near a city
Popular trails in Nelson
Showing 97–101 of 101 trails
Maungatapu Track
Barnicoats Road
Boulder Bank Drive
Kanuka - Cattlestop Link
Collingwood Track
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.