NELSON’S BYPASSED BACKYARD

The Coppermine Trail is a purpose-built mountain bike trail that traverses Nelson’s mineral belt. It’s one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, so is not always thought of by locals and visitors as a prime walking destination. That’s also because Nelson is spoilt for choice; typically, if you want alpine scenery, you drive 90 minutes to Nelson Lakes National Park; if you want bush, you head to Kahurangi National Park; and if you want beaches, it’s an hour to the Abel Tasman.

THE THING I LOVE ABOUT IT IS THAT YOU FEEL LIKE IT’S SO REMOTE, BUT IT’S REALLY NOT.
Andrew Macdonald

But the Bryant Range, out the back of Nelson, and the Richmond Range that separates Nelson and Marlborough, are so