Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

The Brook Fenceline

Nelson, Nelson

Submitted by Stu Houston

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Grunt Factor: 25 ?

Gnarl Factor: 19 ?

19.0km

970m

970m

867m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

5%
10%
75%
10%

Sealed Road

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -12.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

4.0:00

Slow

3:00

Moderate

2:00

Fast

The route described starts at the small carpark at the beginning of the Dun Mountain Trail at the start of Tantragee Road, but you can do a shorter option and park at the Waimarama Sanctuary Carpark and follow the Fenceline from there either way. Run the fence line clockwise, at least the first time ...you will see why !!

From Tantragee Road the track follows the Dun Mountain Trail until you meet the Fence where you can continue along the trail or drop down and follow the fence all the way to Third House Shelter. Before you reach the shelter ensure you fill your water bottles from any streams as this is the last water and the shelter has no water.

From the shelter you head west along a short track to meet the fence which you now follow all the way back to the Carpark keeping it on your right shoulder. The track is actually a 4 wheel drive track and is one big series of rollercoaster hills through beech forest with views into the higher Richmond Ranges. You carry on along to Jenkins Hill where you now turn north again staying with the fence on your right shoulder.

The Fence now drops down the steep Jenkins hill ridge with fantastic views out over Nelson City and across Tasman Bay. The track is steep and in places steps have been cut into the gravel which is great!   Eventually you reach the Brook stream and there is an easy ford across the river which in low flow you can cross keeping feet dry. You are now at the Sanctuary Carpark. If you're parked back at Tantragee Road it's an easy footpath run 2 km down the road.

The Dun Mountain Trail is along New Zealand's oldest railway line so there are Interp panels along the way. You are following the predator proof fence that surrounds the Waimarama Sanctuary.

There is public Nelson Bus transport to carpark from Central Nelson and there is normally plenty of parking and ive parked here heaps with no security issues.

4 km

8 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

If running from the Sanctuary just keep the Fence on your right shoulder and run clockwise.

Patchy.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map

Take plenty of water with you there are only a few streams at the start but 80% of the trail is dry

Parts of the track are exposed but mostly you're in bush. Summer can be very hot and dry so take plenty of water there are some grunty wee climbs along the fence.

Do NOT try and climb over the Fence or touch the electric wire that runs its length along the top or even touch the fence and please report any fence damage you see.

Waimarama Sanctuary Visitor Centre
Stop in and check out the amazing work they are doing and hey a donation would be nice Thanks !

Trail Legend

Mark Hebberd

Mark Hebberd

has completed The Brook Fenceline once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Do it anticlockwise for some of Nelsons best vert training. Gives you a nice 9 km run down from 3rd hut. The official GPX doesn't have vert so you should use this one if this is important to you. https://www.strava.com/activities/9959372478

Mark Hebberd

October 2, 2023

A lot of work w few good views. . doC green fence detracts from the aesthetic. First third is moderate work a mortal can run it. Middle third will have you begging for mercy/ run it if you’re a legend. Last bit is crazy steep w bad footing. Running it would be mildly suicidal. Always a good time out a day in the hills, but there’s better to be had.

Jon Erickson

January 13, 2022

Trail for the masochistic runners with great views.

Lovely gentle run up to Third House. Kilometers 12-17 are extremely steep. Take great care not to slip and fall, turn an ankle or catch the lugs of your shoes on the stairs in the final drop into the Brook.

Michael Ryan

January 1, 2021

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