Last updated November 2026
Built by a billionaire for his own private riding and now owned by the Crown, Wairoa Gorge Bike Park, known simply as The Gorge, is a shuttle-served mountain bike park deep in the Wairoa Valley, about an hour’s drive south of Nelson.
The Nelson MTB Club runs it and lists over 70 km of hand-built single track, graded 3 to 6, with almost 1,000 m of descent on every run from top to bottom.
Riders pay for a shuttle pass and are carried up by 4×4, and each of the park’s 13 routes takes about an hour including the uplift. It is aimed at intermediate to advanced riders. Passes are booked through the club.
Practical Information
- Location
- Wairoa Gorge Road, off River Road, Brightwater, in the Wairoa Valley
- Distance from the city
- About an hour’s drive south of Nelson
- Trails
- Over 70 km of hand-built single track; 13 top-to-bottom routes
- Grade
- Grade 3 to grade 6: about 21% grade 3, 52% grade 4, 23% grade 5 and 4% grade 6
- Descent
- Almost 1,000 m on every top-to-bottom run
- Riding time
- About an hour per route, including the uplift
- Access
- Paid shuttle pass, booked online through the Nelson MTB Club; club members get discounts
- Accommodation
- On-mountain accommodation, including Gibbs Lodge and Barry’s Bunkhouse
- Managed by
- Nelson MTB Club (land owned by the Crown)
- Status
- Check the Nelson MTB Club booking page for riding dates and closures before you ride
About Wairoa Gorge Bike Park
The Gorge started life as a private playground. Nelson Tasman, the regional tourism body, says the trails were originally created by a billionaire for his private use.
The park is now owned by the Crown and managed by the Nelson MTB Club, which says it operates The Gorge “for the benefit of our members and guests”. The club looks after the trails and the accommodation with a small crew and a large number of club volunteers.
The riding is steep and long. Every route runs from the top of the park to the bottom with close to 1,000 m of descent, and most of the trail network is grade 4 or harder.
Nelson Tasman describes a mix of slow, technical rock trails, flowing bermed trails and routes lined with waterfalls, through thick native beech forest with small patches of pine plantation.
Because the trails are linked into 13 routes of similar grade, you can pick a route that matches your riding and stick to it all the way down. Nelson Tasman says the park runs 4×4 shuttles all day long.
Booking a Shuttle Pass
You do not need to be a club member to ride. Book shuttle passes through the Nelson MTB Club’s online booking page, which also lists season passes and on-mountain accommodation and shows the current prices.
The club encourages riders to join to get member discounts, but membership is optional. The same page offers a private shuttle for up to nine riders, available Monday to Thursday (Friday through the winter).
Getting there takes about an hour from Nelson. You can drive yourself, and Nelson Tasman names Gravity Nelson and Scottish Express as shuttle operators that can take you to the park.
Your First Day and Staying Over
For first-timers, Nelson Tasman suggests starting from Irvine’s Day Lodge and heading onto Devil’s Armour, a short flat pedal that connects to Benched As. From there, choose routes that match your grade.
If one day is not enough, the park has on-mountain accommodation. Nelson Tasman says Gibbs Lodge is perched at 1,000 m above sea level in native forest, and Gibbs Lodge and Barry’s Bunkhouse are both listed on the club’s booking page, which gives the booking details.
From locals
Can I get to The Gorge from Nelson without driving myself?
Has anyone taken kids to The Gorge? Is there anything suitable for younger riders?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Nelson MTB Club member to ride The Gorge?
No. Anyone can book a shuttle pass online. Club members get discounts.
How much is a shuttle pass?
Prices are on the Nelson MTB Club’s booking page, where passes are booked. Club members get discounts.
How hard are the trails?
They start at grade 3 and go up to grade 6. About three-quarters of the network is grade 4 or 5, and Nelson Tasman describes it as suited to intermediate to advanced riders.
How long does each run take?
About an hour per route, including the 4×4 uplift.
How far is it from Nelson?
About an hour’s drive south of Nelson, in the Wairoa Valley.
Can I stay at the park?
Yes. There is on-mountain accommodation, including Gibbs Lodge at about 1,000 m above sea level.
Where should first-timers start?
Nelson Tasman suggests starting at Irvine’s Day Lodge and taking Devil’s Armour to Benched As.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 2
- Nelson MTB Club: The Wairoa Gorge Bike Park: the club’s page for The Gorge, with trail grades and the link to book.
- Tasman District Council: Mountain bike trails: the council’s overview of the district’s riding, including The Gorge.