Rating: Grade 3

Know before you go. The Dun Mountain Trail is a ride with a wilderness feel that can be ridden right from Nelson City. The trail surface is such that it can be ridden in most (but not extreme) weather. As Coppermine Saddle is at 870m always pack at least a windbreaker as conditions from Windy Point (which is not a misnomer), can be quite different to Nelson.

Getting there: From Nelson City head up Brook St and hook on to Codgers Trail (once it has been cleared after recent storms), which heads left off Brook St just before Betsy Eyre Park. Go all the way up Codgers on to the road up past the water treatment plant and continue straight ahead at the first intersection rather than up to Tantragee Saddle. It is well signposted.

From here the route follows the old Dun Mountain Railway, so is an easy grade apart from a couple of short steeper sections before Third House.  An alternative route is to keep riding up the Brook to just before the motor camp where a wooden gate beside a locked pipe and wire gate gives access to a 4wd track known as the Classic. This is a more direct route, but much steeper and is only attempted by really fit riders. After Third House the track is slightly downhill to Junction Saddle before resuming its steady climb to Coppermine Saddle. The vegetation changes abruptly when you reach the mineral belt and at Windy Point you emerge into open rocky tussock country with views out across the Richmond Ranges.


The track now sidles across the mountainside without much change in elevation to Coppermine Saddle from where you begin a long descent into the South Maitai Valley. This part of the track has steep sections with numerous switchbacks and a rough surface, loose in places that may be technically challenging for less experienced riders.


Once down to the South Maitai the grade eases and a bridge takes you across the river for a blast out to the 4wd road. Beware of walkers on the trail at all times so stay under control. Follow the 4wd road until it swings right across the river. Go straight ahead here without crossing the river on to another single track, which follows the water supply pipeline.


Keep on this track hugging the hill on an almost flat grade. Eventually the trail descends through bush with 3 or 4 switchbacks and drops you on the Maitai Valley Rd just below Smiths Ford Bridge. Bike down the road towards Nelson. Just before the Maitai Motor Camp cross a pipe bridge on your left that arches across the Maitai River and pick up the Maitai track that takes you all the way back to the city. It's a lot more pleasant than the road. Fit riders do this loop in under 3 hours, but allow up to 5 hours if you have a more relaxed pace and like to drink in the scenery. As this ride gets up into sub-alpine country it shouldn't be taken lightly. Make sure you have extra clothing, snacks and tools to repair your bike no matter what time of the year. Water is available from creeks along the way most of the time.