Dun Mountain Trail

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This classic trail completes a loop of Nelson's stunning lush forests and mineral belt. It stretches all the way to the Third House and on to the historic Coppermine Saddle. This trail makes for an excellent recreational hike.

From the end of the Maitai River Track, the Dun Mountain Trail begins its gradual climb up to the Coppermine Saddle. 5km of easy hiking gets you to the Four Corners Junction. The Classic continues straight ahead at this point continuing along the Dun Mountain Trail to Third House, a section of 5km of gentle climbing through the stunning native bush.

A clearing in the forest canopy is the first sign you have reached the historic Third House point. From here, it's straight on to the Wells Ridge intersection and the 15km mark. The track smoothes out for a brisk hiking pace to Windy Point and past the original chromite mine shaft on the way to Coppermine Saddle. This is the halfway mark at 20km.

From here it's mostly downhill to the finish. The landscape is amazing and the scenery breathtaking. The lower section maintains this downhill trend as you descend through the native forest over the new bridge and out to the Maitai Dam.