NELSON TRAILS

Grampians Walkway

Grampians

Grampians Walkway is one of the most popular tracks in central Nelson. Beginning at the uphill end of Collingwood St, the walkway climbs the ridge to the TV repeater station at the summit (390 m). It is great as a return trip and it can also be combined with other Grampians tracks to create a longer circuit. The walkway involves a reasonable amount of climbing, though you’ll enjoy great views of the central city and Tasman Bay.

Details
Length 4.8 km Collingwood St to summit return; 5.5 km Collingwood St to summit return via Kānuka Track on return leg
Time Required 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min
Trail Type Walking track
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Technical Difficulty Intermediate   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Start Elevation 65 m
Max Elevation 390 m


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Elevation profile: Collingwood St to summit

This elevation profile should be considered approximate. Its accuracy is determined by the quality of data available.

 

Access

  5 min from anywhere in central Nelson

 

Grampians Walkway begins at the uphill end of Collingwood St, in central Nelson. The upper section of Collingwood St is steep and narrow, and parking is for residents only. The best places to park are on Collingwood St downhill of Brougham St, or on upper Trafalgar St.

Description

Above Collingwood St, the walkway zig-zags at a steady gradient up the steep hill slope through well-spaced plantings of mature exotic trees. Once at the top of the ridge there is a short respite from the uphill, before the walkway climbs again through sweeping zig-zags; here you will enjoy one of the best vantage points for viewing central Nelson. Ronaki Track connects on the right and the walkway climbs again through a small area of pine plantation, before flattening out on a wide grassy corridor and connecting to Grampians Summit Road and Kānuka Track (the latter is signposted with a map).

 

While Summit Road veers to the left, follow the walkway as it takes a direct route up the ridge to Grampians Saddle. From the saddle, the lookout platform is a short deviation to the right (as are the beginnings of Mahoe and Mamaku tracks). The walkway follows the sealed Summit Road for the final few hundred metres to the transmission tower at the summit (which was completed in 1970). Trees prevent much of a view from the tower, so the best place for a view is the lookout platform.

 

There are multiple options for the return leg depending on how far you want to go (see map for options). Grampians Walkway continues on the other side of the summit, descending down a grassy spur, then turning left and re-entering the bush to connect with Kānuka Track. You can follow the easy-going Kānuka Track left to connect back with Grampians Walkway at the summit ridge, otherwise follow Kānuka Track to the right and connect with Kahikatea Track and Tawa Track.

Short Walks

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Day Walks

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Tramping

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Biking

Grampians Walkway
Grampians

Grampians Walkway is one of the most popular tracks in central Nelson. Beginning at the uphill end of Collingwood St, the walkway climbs the ridge to the TV repeater station at the summit (390 m). It is great as a return trip and it can also be combined with other Grampians tracks to create a longer circuit. The walkway involves a reasonable amount of climbing, though you’ll enjoy great views of the central city and Tasman Bay.

Details
Length 4.8 km Collingwood St to summit return; 5.5 km Collingwood St to summit return via Kānuka Track on return leg
Time Required 1 hr – 1 hr 30 min
Trail Type Walking track
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Technical Difficulty Intermediate   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Start Elevation 65 m
Max Elevation 390 m


If any layers fail to load, try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.

 

Elevation profile: Collingwood St to summit

This elevation profile should be considered approximate. Its accuracy is determined by the quality of data available.

Access

  5 min from anywhere in central Nelson

 

Grampians Walkway begins at the uphill end of Collingwood St, in central Nelson. The upper section of Collingwood St is steep and narrow, and parking is for residents only. The best places to park are on Collingwood St downhill of Brougham St, or on upper Trafalgar St.

Description

Above Collingwood St, the walkway zig-zags at a steady gradient up the steep hill slope through well-spaced plantings of mature exotic trees. Once at the top of the ridge there is a short respite from the uphill, before the walkway climbs again through sweeping zig-zags; here you will enjoy one of the best vantage points for viewing central Nelson. Ronaki Track connects on the right and the walkway climbs again through a small area of pine plantation, before flattening out on a wide grassy corridor and connecting to Grampians Summit Road and Kānuka Track (the latter is signposted with a map).

 

While Summit Road veers to the left, follow the walkway as it takes a direct route up the ridge to Grampians Saddle. From the saddle, the lookout platform is a short deviation to the right (as are the beginnings of Mahoe and Mamaku tracks). The walkway follows the sealed Summit Road for the final few hundred metres to the transmission tower at the summit (which was completed in 1970). Trees prevent much of a view from the tower, so the best place for a view is the lookout platform.

 

There are multiple options for the return leg depending on how far you want to go (see map for options). Grampians Walkway continues on the other side of the summit, descending down a grassy spur, then turning left and re-entering the bush to connect with Kānuka Track. You can follow the easy-going Kānuka Track left to connect back with Grampians Walkway at the summit ridge (described above), otherwise follow Kānuka Track to the right and connect with Kahikatea Track and Tawa Track.

Updated 20 February 2019