Grampians are a group of hills rising steeply behind central Nelson. Named after the mountain range in Scotland, the tallest point reaches 390 m and is notable for having a TV transmission tower on top. Grampians are dissected by a network of tracks which are popular among walkers and runners given their proximity to the city.

Grampians tracks can be accessed from multiple locations around the base of the hills, though the three main access points are Upper Collingwood Street, Market Road in Bishopdale and Blick Terrace in Brook Valley.

High fire risk in summer will close access.

All Grampians tracks are suitable for walking and trail running. Nelson City Council allows MTB on every track except Kahikatea Track, though bikers are seldom seen. It is fair to say the tracks are best enjoyed on foot, particularly given the volume of people on them, their narrowness, and the fact that MTB-specific Codgers MTB Park is only a short distance away.

Grampians are contained within 161 ha of Nelson City Council reserve land and are home to a diverse range of vegetation, including exotic woodland, pine plantation, regenerating native, and some original native. The mix of vegetation provides an attractive backdrop behind the central city and creates interesting transitions along the tracks, several of which are named after the native tree variety that can be found along their length; Kahikatea, Kānuka, Mahoe, Mamaku and Tawa.

These tracks give access to some of the best vantage points for views over the city, and further out across Tasman Bay. The tracks on Grampians vary in their physical difficulty, from tough, steep ‘grinds’, to relatively gentle strolls. Every track on Grampians includes a certain degree of uphill, though the physical challenge provides part of the appeal. They can be combined in numerous ways to form loops of varying length and difficulty to suit most abilities.

Since 2009, the community group Birdlife on Grampians have run a trapping programme which has reinvigorated native birdlife. Thanks to these efforts you’re more likely to enjoy the increasing numbers of species like kererū, tui and weka.