Last updated November 2026
Riders heading north out of central Nelson have their own route to Atawhai: the Atawhai Shared Pathway, a 4.3 km grade 1 path that runs beside State Highway 6 and takes 15 to 30 minutes to ride. It starts near Miyazu Garden on Atawhai Drive and finishes near Clifton Terrace School, using a mix of purpose-built path and quiet roads.
The Nelson Tasman Cycle Trail Trust describes it as flat and sealed. Nelson City Council lists it among the city’s off-street cycleways.
Practical Information
- Start
- Near Miyazu Garden, Atawhai Drive
- Finish
- Near Clifton Terrace School, Atawhai
- Length
- 4.3 km
- Riding time
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Grade
- Grade 1 (easiest)
- Surface
- Flat and sealed; purpose-built path and quiet roads
- Route
- Beside State Highway 6
- Dogs
- The national tracks dataset lists dogs on the path, off lead on most sections and on lead on one; check Nelson City Council’s dog control policy
- Managed by
- Nelson City Council
- Status
- Check Nelson City Council’s website for current closures before you ride
About Atawhai Shared Pathway
The pathway’s job is simple: it joins central Nelson with the northern suburb of Atawhai along the State Highway 6 corridor, and gives people on bikes and on foot a route alongside it. Some stretches are purpose-built path and others use quiet streets, but the whole route is sealed and flat.
Its city end sits on Atawhai Drive near Miyazu Garden. At the far end the path reaches Atawhai near Clifton Terrace School. The trust asks riders to be considerate of other users along the way.
The pathway is part of the same family of off-street routes as the Stoke Railway Reserve and the Railway Reserve from Victory Square, which Nelson City Council lists together as its off-street cycleways.
Links Along the Way
Herenga ā Nuku’s track data shows a short link from the pathway up to Atawhai Crescent, and tags one section as Bike Nelson Ride 3 (the council lists Ride 3 as the Trafalgar Cycleway) and another as Walk Nelson Walk 16.
The same data records the pathway as a short walk for people on foot and grades it easy (grade 2) for bikes, one step up from the trust’s grade 1.
From locals
Is there a way off the Atawhai pathway up to Atawhai Crescent?
How busy does the Atawhai pathway get with walkers and dog owners, and when is quietest?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Atawhai Shared Pathway?
It is 4.3 km.
Where does it start and finish?
It starts near Miyazu Garden on Atawhai Drive and finishes near Clifton Terrace School.
How long does it take to ride?
The Nelson Tasman Cycle Trail Trust allows 15 to 30 minutes.
Is it hard?
No. It is graded 1, the easiest grade, and is flat and sealed.
Do I have to ride on the highway?
No. The route runs beside State Highway 6 on purpose-built path and quiet roads.
Are dogs allowed?
The national tracks dataset lists dogs on the path, mostly off lead with one on-lead section. Check the council’s dog control policy before you go.
Can I walk it?
Yes. It is a shared path for people on foot and on bikes.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Heart of Biking: Other trails: the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trail Trust’s guide to Nelson’s other rides, including the Atawhai Shared Pathway with its grade, length and route.
- Nelson City Council: Bike Nelson cycling maps: the council’s list of off-street cycleways and urban ride maps.
- Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa: national track data for the pathway and its Atawhai Crescent link. Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, Outdoor Access Commission, from LINZ and DOC data (CC BY 4.0).