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MTB Trail Building & Construction Nelson | Gravity Nelson

Nelson, NZ · Working Nationwide

We build the
trail the hill
was hiding.

Gravity Nelson’s trail crew plans, builds, renews and maintains singletrack across New Zealand. Work to Recreation Aotearoa standard. For riders on their first lap and their thousandth.

Start a project See how we build
TL;DR Gravity Nelson builds, renews and maintains singletrack across New Zealand. Recreation Aotearoa standard, WorkSafe accredited, Grade 1 to Grade 6. Based in Nelson, working nationwide. Email us to talk about your project.
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WorkSafe NZ Accredited
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Recreation Aotearoa Standard
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Council & Club Partnerships
04
Grade 1–6, Every Rider
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Our Approach What We Build Standards Trail Grades Winter Building Coverage Gallery Contact FAQ
“You can’t ask someone to protect a forest they’ve never fallen in love with on a bike.” That’s the whole job really.

Getting people outside on bikes is how they come to care about wild places. So every trail we cut is built to give riders a reason to come back, and a reason to look after the ground underneath them. We plan around what is already there, keep our footprint small, and stay open to doing it differently if that is what the land needs.

What We Do

Build. Renew. Maintain.

Whether it’s a brand-new line or a decade-old trail that’s lost its shape, the job is the same: make the network work better for everyone riding it.

Build

New trail from the ground up. Flow, features and grading matched to the terrain, the riders and what the network is missing.

Renew

Tired trails get their drainage, berms and sightlines put right. An old favourite rides the way it did on day one. Or better.

Maintain

Ongoing upkeep that keeps a network healthy year-round, so councils and clubs aren’t starting from scratch every season.

Standards & Safety

Built properly, end to end.

We run the whole job from planning through consultation, construction and sign-off. Councils and clubs get one crew, not a chain of subcontractors.

Guidelines

Recreation Aotearoa

Every trail is built to Recreation Aotearoa NZ trail building guidelines, from bench cut to final compaction.

Safety

WorkSafe NZ Accredited

Full health and safety management on every site, covering our crew, contractors, and the public sharing the space.

Partnership

Council & Club Liaison

We work directly alongside local councils and riding clubs from concept through to consent and construction.

Delivery

Full Project Management

Planning, budgeting, staging and execution handled as one package, so nothing falls between contractors.

For Every Rider

Grade 1 to Grade 6.

Good networks are not built for one type of rider. We plan and grade trails from Grade 1 to Grade 6. A network grows with the people riding it.

Grade 1
Easiest
Wide, smooth, gentle grade. First pedal strokes and family rides.
Grade 2
Easy
Some variation underfoot, still forgiving, room to build confidence.
Grade 3
Intermediate
Berms, small drops, moderate exposure. Most riders’ home turf.
Grade 4
Advanced
Technical features, steeper pitches, less room for error.
Grade 5
Expert
Serious exposure and technicality, built for experienced riders.
Grade 6
Extreme
Committing, unforgiving terrain. The top of the network.
Season

Winter is a build season, not a shutdown.

Cooler ground, reliable moisture and quieter trails make winter a solid window for earthworks. It is a build season, not a shutdown. Trails get done properly and are ready to ride by spring.

Firmer soilMoisture content that compacts clean and holds its shape
Lower trafficFewer riders on-trail means less disruption during works
Spring-readyTrails bed in over winter, riding perfectly by the first fine weekend
Where We Work

Based in Nelson. Built for anywhere.

Local crews know their own dirt, weather and riding community better than anyone flying in. That is usually the best outcome. But we travel, and we take on work anywhere in New Zealand. If you have a project worth building, we are keen to talk.

Get In Touch

Got a trail
worth building?

Call or email to talk about your project. Whether it is a new network, a trail renewal or ongoing maintenance. We work through the scope, timeline and budget with you.

Email us
FAQ

Common questions about trail building.

Do you only work in the Nelson region?
We’re based in Nelson but take on contract work anywhere in New Zealand. Most of our work is in the Top of the South, but if you’ve got a project worth building, we’ll travel for it.
What’s the typical timeline for a trail build?
It depends on scope, terrain and consent. A short renewal might take days. A new multi-kilometre network runs weeks to months. We give you a timeline during the initial consultation.
Do you handle council consents and club liaison?
Yes. We manage it from concept through consultation, consent and construction. Councils and clubs get one crew, not a chain of subcontractors.
What’s the difference between Build and Renew?
Build is new trail from scratch. Planned, benched, finished. Renew is bringing an existing trail back to life. Fixing drainage, reshaping berms, restoring sightlines.
What grades of trail can you build?
Grade 1 through Grade 6. From smooth family-friendly paths through to committing expert lines. Good networks need the range, and we build for every rider.
How do I get started on a project?
Email info@gravitynelson.co.nz with a brief description of your project. Location, what you are thinking, any timeline. We get back to you to talk scope and budget.
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