Here is how the park is described on their website:...
"Situated deep in the Wairoa Valley, just 45 minutes drive from central Nelson, 'The Gorge' is home to well over 70km of hand-built mountain bike trails that run through a lush native and beech forest environment from a maximum elevation of 1200m. Think epic back country riding, mixed with bike park convenience.
"The trails in The Gorge are sublime, and have to be experienced to be fully appreciated. One of the key features of the park is the pristine native forest that the trails are set in, which is a magical place to be. The trails themselves have been painstakingly created over several years by the best trail builders in New Zealand. The grades run from two right up to five and there is more riding than anyone can handle in a day.
"Everyone is welcome to ride at The Gorge, but you do need to be a current member of Nelson Mountain Bike Club. We also run a limited number of private shuttle days and events at the facility each year that the general public can enter."
Here is more gush from the website:...
"A visit to The Gorge is not a mass market, stand in line, you're just a number mountain biking experience. We welcome a maximum of 32 guests to the park every Friday, Saturday and Sunday (private shuttles can be booked on other days).
"Due to its scale (1000m vertical climb) the only way to enjoy the park is to be shuttled up the hill, and we have purpose built vehicles and trailers that are made for the job. There is no pressure - you choose how much or how little riding you want to do.
"The Gorge is a magical place set in dense native forest, and with views right across to the sea. If you want to sit by a waterfall and have a breather you can. If you want to smash out laps as hard as you can then go for it. It's up to you. A typical day is two or three runs before lunch and two or three after lunch (that adds up to between 4000/5000 vertical metres of descending).
"We provide you with a detailed map, a shuttle timetable and all of our trails are very well sign-posted. You decide where to go, how fast or slow you want to ride, when you want to stop and which shuttle pick-up point will work best for you. We also provide you with a radio so you can remain in contact with our team throughout the day if you have an emergency."
You need deep pockets to ride the gorge... First you need to be a member of the Nelson MTB Club which costs $45 and then there is a park fee of $99 per person per day- which runs from 8.30am - 3.30pm and includes as many runs down the hill as you feel like. Shuttles run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
More information here: https://www.thegorge.nz/ and here: https://nelsonmtb.club/
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