Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Tasman Trail
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 10 ?
39.0km
550m
550m
129m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 31 ?
Gnarl Factor: 10 ?
39.0km
550m
550m
129m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Plantation/exotic forest
Beach
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +3.4%
Average Downhill Gradient: -3.2%
Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.
6:00
Slow
4:30
Moderate
3:00
Fast
Start and finish at Ruby Bay follow the blue signs of the Great Taste Trail up out of Ruby bay through to Tasman Village, then along the Tasman View ridge to the lookout, then down to community road turn off.
Take a right away from the GT trail to a sealed road junction (approx. 200 metres) where you turn left and drop down past the Lower Moutere school and meet the GT trail again alongside the Moutere Highway. Turn left here to follow the trail east back to Riverside Community and Community Road which the trail follows and re-follow the trail back to the lookout and on till it meets Harleys Road.
At Harleys road don't follow the trail but cross over and follow Tasman Bay Road east till you meet the Ruby Bay bypass highway 60 Te Mamaku Drive - turn right and follow the edge of the Highway for about 160 metres and cross over to the north side of the road and run about 30 metres east till theres a big dip. Go up the steep bulldozed track north (hard Left) to the water tanks and Dickers Road and follow this for approx. 2 km north to a sign indicating the Tasman Track to your right.
Go between the white posts on rough track through private land (free access ) which drops down to Williams Road - follow this back to Tasman Christian School and the GT trail. Turn right (East) and retrace your steps back to Ruby Bay and a swim in summer !
Great views of Tasman Bay , Mt Arthur Ranges ,Richmond Ranges and Moutere hills. Grab an apple from the many trees on route.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Not sure about public transport but the carpark is large and rarely full. Carpark is reasonably safe.
20 km
19 minutes
Yes
No
Hard.
Following the Great Taste Trail is relatively strait forward - just follow the blue plastic posts and signs. The last section along Tasman View Road is ok until the Highway - you can see the water tanks you need to climb to on the other side of the road when you first get to it you, just need to go east for a bit to find the easy access climb up to them.
Down Dickers Road finding the turn off onto the Tasman Track can be tricky. But if you see a property with heaps of old cars spread around you're at the right place - the track goes right past it. Alternatively you can just carry on down Dickers road into Tasman Village and the GT trail.
Perfect throughout.
Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Carry your own water as there is no water available the entire length of the trail. I've stopped at Tasman Christian School and drunk from school fountain. There is a store/cafe in Tasman Village to buy water and you pass the Jester House Cafe.
In Summer this track is hot and dry with little shade - take plenty of sunscreen and stash water if nessessary. On a wet windy day the high parts of the trail are really exposed and your running along this for several hours so take a jacket.
Keep an ear open for trail bikes there is a dirt bike track on one section of trail and they blat along the GT Trail and Tasman View Road to access this.
Jester House cafe
Just out of Tasman Village (East) on Aporo road
This is THE best Cafe in the Tasman District.Stunning setting nice food just the coolest cafe around.Gets bloody busy though in Summer and closes in Winter
Tasman store
In the heart of Tasman Village
Nice food great location always open.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Tasman Trail
As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.
Already have an account? Login now
A really enjoyable run in the rolling country side of Nelson. Great views of the sea, mountains and farmland. The trail is largely hard packed cycle trail, but still nice to run on. Start off early and you'll have a stunning sunrise and nice light over the hills. After a swim at Ruby Bay, head into Mapua to one of the cafes by the water for a well deserved feed and drink.
April 27, 2021
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
Send to your phone
Scan the below QR code to open this trail on your phone.
Tip: position the QR code in your phone camera screen.
