Peaking Ridge

Peaking Ridge can only be ridden in the downhill direction. This will require you to access Sunrise Ridge, off of which Peaking Ridge descends, 2.4 km from the intersection with Black Diamond Ridge (about two thirds of the way along the ridge). The most straight-forward way to access Peaking Ridge is via Fringed Hill, Black Diamond Ridge and Sunrise Ridge. The alternative way to access Sunrise Ridge is via Dun Mountain Trail, where you can connect with Black Diamond Ridge at Junction Saddle.

The track begins steeply down the ridge, dropping down a chute with lots of loose rock and beech tree roots. The gradient eases, but the roots and rocks don’t, with both featuring prominently the whole way down. A few hundred metres in there is a wooden ramp with a drop to be aware of. After this there are a few small drops and tree trunks to negotiate, and for the most part the track continues straight down the ridge with few turns near the bottom. The majority of the track passes through open beech forest with very little undergrowth. As the track descends to lower elevation mānuka becomes more prevalent.

Peaking Ridge Track joins Coppermine Trail next to the water intake weir on the Maitai River South Branch. From here it is an easy 2.4 km back to Maitai Valley Rd end or 13 km into central Nelson via Coppermine Trail (along the pipeline) and Maitai Valley Walkway.