The best walks and hikes in Nelson
4.5
(75)
1,020
hikers
51
hikes
New Zealand? In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of hikes and walking routes in Nelson to bring you the best hiking routes in the region. To see which of our walks in Nelson is the right one for you, browse real tips and photos uploaded by other hikers—and see what they had to say about each walk.
Last updated: October 6, 2025
5.0
(5)
134
hikers
1. Maitai Esplanade Reserve loop from Nelson
2.75km
00:51
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.2
(5)
63
hikers
2. Founders Heritage Park – View of Nelson loop from Grove Station
8.02km
02:25
250m
250m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.2
(13)
36
hikers
3. Maitai Esplanade Reserve – Queens Gardens loop from Grove Station
14.9km
04:08
270m
270m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(8)
34
hikers
4. Cable Bay Lookout – View of Cable Bay loop from Tasman
16.3km
05:41
900m
900m
Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(4)
38
hikers
5. Selwyn Place – Church Hill Tower, Nelson loop from Nelson
7.60km
02:30
340m
340m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(4)
32
hikers
6. Hiking loop from Maitlands
5.89km
01:59
290m
290m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.3
(3)
28
hikers
7. Sentinel Hill loop from Tasman
14.4km
04:48
700m
700m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(6)
18
hikers
8. View of Cable Bay – Cable Bay Lookout loop from Tasman
9.85km
03:25
520m
520m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
30
hikers
9. Hiking loop from Maitai
1.97km
00:38
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
28
hikers
10. View of Nelson – Maitai Esplanade Reserve loop from Nelson East
7.77km
02:15
180m
180m
Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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