Canaan Downs mountain bike tracks
Located in Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve in the Nelson/Tasman region
|
Introduction
There are three mountain bike tracks that can all be accessed from or near the Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve car park.4.6 - 14 km loop
Dog access
Gold Creek Loop
Grade: Easy
Time: 30 min
Distance: 4.6 km
The Gold Creek loop starts at the Canaan Downs car park and is an enjoyable 30 min loop ride through farm land and beech forest. As much of it has been gravelled it is good to ride all year round.
Canaan Big Loop
Grade: Advanced
Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance: 14 km
The Canaan Loop also starts from the Canaan Downs car park. This rougher track offers offers variety, views and the satisfaction of a longer ride through this special part of the world.
Rameka Track
Grade: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hr
Distance: 6 km (DOC section only)
The Rameka Track starts 10 minutes up from the Canaan Downs car park on Pages Saddle and sidles gently downhill through beech forest for the first five km. Expect rocky sections, creek crossings and a steeper descent for the last section. Note that bikers need to give way to walkers.
At the end of the DOC section of the track you can continue along a gravel 4WD road or ride down mountain bike tracks on publicly accessible private land: The Pack Track, Great Expectations and The Klicks. These popular tracks have been built by Project Rameka and Golden Bay Mountain Bike Club volunteers and provide a much better experience than riding the road.
At the end of these trails you will join the Rameka Creek Road by which stage you are only 6 km from Takaka township and you have lost 700 m of height from the start of the Rameka. Most people continue on into town rather than returning the way they came or riding the 47 km back to Canaan by road.
From SH60 on the Takaka Hill Rd turn off at Canaan Road and follow it 11 km to end.
Contacts
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |