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3.1 miles
Distance
129 ft
Climb
-2,448 ft
Descent
00:24:16
Avg time
-2,319 ft
Altitude change
303 ft
Altitude min
2,623 ft
Altitude max
2,622 ft
Altitude start
305 ft
Altitude end
-14%
Grade
-80.2%
Grade max
34.1%
Grade min
1,591 ft
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
587 ft
Distance flat
00:24:16
Avg time
Te Ara Koa Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
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Riding AreaFringed Hill Nelson
Nelson -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (9 votes)
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Local Popularity80 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 65 in E-Biking
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Global Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeDH, AM
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Physical RatingModerate
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Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
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eBike AllowedYes up to Class 1
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TTFs on TrailRock Garden
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Ride in RainYes
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Year Opened2017
Te Ara Koa (translated as "Trail to Happiness") opened in October 2017 after thousands of hours of graft from the Nelson Mountain Bike Club's volunteer builders.
5.1km long, dropping 700m, through native bush. It's hand built pure singletrack with plenty of small natural features to keep you on your toes. The trail starts on an easy gradient but is made challenging by a carpet of ancient tree roots and plenty of off camber. After the first 1000m it gets into a well-benched traverse and the flow comes at you thick and fast. After 3.5km you cross the historic Dun Mountain Railway trail, after which Te Ara Koa keeps on going at the same grade right down to Brook Street, just 10 minutes from Nelson CBD.
If you are fit and eager you can tick off the climb and descent in under 2hrs, but most people will take 2.30/3hrs at a steady pace with a long stop at the top to enjoy the incredible views over Tasman Bay to Kahurangi National Park and Mount Arthur.
The trail uses Ngati Koata and Nelson City Council land, who supported the build process. New trail grade in 2021
Access Info
Head up to the top of Fringed Hill from the Brook area in Nelson - the trail is signposted from the very top.
Trail Supporters
NMTBCSponsor
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 42 rides
- 22.1 km avg distance
All
- 222 rides
- Last: Jun 23, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Te Ara Koa Trail Reports
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Directions to te-ara-koa trailhead
(-41.310730, 173.316650)
Photos
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Frequently Asked Questions About Te Ara Koa
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Where is Te Ara Koa located?
Te Ara Koa is located in Fringed Hill Nelson, Nelson, New Zealand. It is part of the Fringed Hill Nelson trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -41.31073, 173.31665.
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How hard is Te Ara Koa?
Te Ara Koa is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 14%.
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What is the elevation gain for Te Ara Koa?
Te Ara Koa has 129 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 2,448 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 303 ft to 2,623 ft.
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How long is Te Ara Koa?
Te Ara Koa is 3.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
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