NELSON TRAILS

Glider Road

Marsden Valley and Barnicoat Range

Glider Road climbs from Marsden Valley to the top of Barnicoat Range, giving access to MTB tracks Widdershins and Involution. The 605 m elevation grassy summit provides expansive views over Tasman Bay and the ranges of Mt Richmond Forest Park, and is used as a take-off point for paragliders (hence the road’s name).

Details
Length 4.2 km one way
Time Required 1 hr 15 min to summit (walking)
Trail Type Gravel road
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Start Elevation 150 m
Finish Elevation 605 m

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Elevation profile: Marsden Valley Rd to paragliding area

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

 

Access

  5 min from Stoke

 

The start of Glider Road is a 5 minute drive from Stoke up Marsden Valley Road. At the end of Marsden Valley Road there is a car park on the right, just before the quarry. Here you will find an information panel with a map and details on trail times and distances.

 

The road is closed to all public vehicles except those who have an access key. Logging and high fire risk will close access.

Description

Cross the bridge immediately to the right of the quarry entrance and pass the barrier gate. Follow the road to the right as it crosses Poorman Stream. From this point it is almost entirely uphill, with a reasonably consistent 11% gradient the whole way to the top. After 750 m Barnicoat Walkway branches steeply to the left. Glider Road climbs up the steep western side of Barnicoat Range, following its curvature and passing mainly through pine forest (Ngawhatu Forest). The road ends at the grassy flat at the top of the range, which is used as a paragliding takeoff area. There is a longdrop toilet and picnic table here, but no water. Enjoy the views of the city and the Richmond Ranges.

 

On the return leg, you can continue north along Glider Road to connect with Barnicoat Walkway and Widdershins. For many mountain bikers Glider Road is just the unpleasant uphill grind necessary to reach Widdershins and Involution. You can also continue south along Barnicoat Range Walkway to Richmond, or drop down into Aniseed Valley via Barnicoat Road.

Glider Road
Marsden Valley and Barnicoat Range

Glider Road climbs from Marsden Valley to the top of Barnicoat Range, giving access to MTB tracks Widdershins and Involution. The 605 m elevation grassy summit provides expansive views over Tasman Bay and the ranges of Mt Richmond Forest Park, and is used as a take-off point for paragliders (hence the road’s name).

Trail Details
Length 4.2 km one way
Time Required 1 hr 15 min to summit (walking)
Trail Type Gravel road
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Start Elevation 150 m
Finish Elevation 605 m

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

 

Access

  5 min from Stoke

 

The start of Glider Road is a 5 minute drive from Stoke up Marsden Valley Road. At the end of Marsden Valley Road there is a car park on the right, just before the quarry. Here you will find an information panel with a map and details on trail times and distances.

 

The road is closed to all public vehicles except those who have an access key. Logging and high fire risk will close access.

Description

Cross the bridge immediately to the right of the quarry entrance and pass the barrier gate. Follow the road to the right as it crosses Poorman Stream. From this point it is almost entirely uphill, with a reasonably consistent 11% gradient the whole way to the top. After 750 m Barnicoat Walkway branches steeply to the left. Glider Road climbs up the steep western side of Barnicoat Range, following its curvature and passing mainly through pine forest (Ngawhatu Forest). The road ends at the grassy flat at the top of the range, which is used as a paragliding takeoff area. There is a longdrop toilet and picnic table here, but no water. Enjoy the views of the city and the Richmond Ranges.

 

On the return leg, you can continue north along Glider Road to connect with Barnicoat Walkway and Widdershins. For many mountain bikers Glider Road is just the unpleasant uphill grind necessary to reach Widdershins and Involution. You can also continue south along Barnicoat Range Walkway to Richmond, or drop down into Aniseed Valley via Barnicoat Road.

Updated 18 August 2021