The Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park is to open to mountain bikers, possibly from next year.
The Department of Conservation is inviting submissions on a two year trial but only in the off-peak walking season, between May - October.
Heaphy Track bikers would be restricted to groups of six.
The Federation of Mountain Clubs, which represents many trampers, says it is not opposed to the plan.
President Rob Mitchell says bikers and trampers co-exist reasonably well on mountain bike trails in other national parks.
