Last Updated: 14th Jun 2025
The Brook Fenceline
Last Updated: 14th Jun 2025
Grunt Factor: 25 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
19.0km
970m
970m
867m
Last Updated: 14th Jun 2025
Last Updated: 14th Jun 2025
Grunt Factor: 25 ?
Gnarl Factor: 19 ?
19.0km
970m
970m
867m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.1%
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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.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
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
No
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 !
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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
October 2, 2023
JE
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.
January 13, 2022
MR
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.
January 1, 2021
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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