KIRWANS TRACK - A WEST COAST CLASSIC

I’ve always wanted to ride some of the trails in Reefton, but it’s one of those towns in New Zealand you typically pass through on the way to somewhere else. But nearby Kirwans Track in Victoria Forest Park was one that often cropped up in conversation, and it had me intrigued. Reefton is a classic West Coast mining town, steeped in history and offering far more than meets the eye.

After a few phone calls and negotiations, I convinced fellow MTB enthusiasts Grant Stirling and Mike Anderson to head out on a road trip from Nelson south to Reefton. Going on a roadie to the West Coast is like going back in time, and rewards visitors with its rich history and dramatic landscape. What’s more, before leaving on the trip, the Nelson region was suffering through a drought and battling a huge forest fire, so the lush green West Coast bush was a welcome change.

I picked up