Day Rides
Short on time, or just here for the day and would love to experience some of the history of Central Otago?
How about trying one of our day rides?
Below is a selection of some of the more popular rides to choose from.
Alexandra Millennium/River Track
Distance 24km (Return) Grade 1 – Easy 1.5-2hrs
If you are only in Alexandra for a short time, why not hire a bike and take a ride down the Alexandra Millennium (River) Track. It follows the mighty Clutha River and the historic Earnscleugh tailings. The track is mainly flat with one or two boardwalks and bridges nearer Alexandra. It is a well-surfaced trail making it very easy for young families. It is particularly good in the height of summer when the willow trees give shade from the hot Central Otago sun. Once you reach the end of the trail, cross the big red bridge into Clyde where you can enjoy cafés, galleries, designer stores, restaurants and even a picture theatre. To return back to Alexandra you can take either the famous Central Otago Rail Trail route, or alternatively enjoy the return scenery along the river track. This is a very pleasant 2-hour bike ride when ridden at a leisurely pace and allowing for a stop in Clyde.
Bike Hire
Standard Bikes Full Day $60 Half Day $50
E-Bikes Full Day $120 Half Day $105
Auripo Road to Alexandra
Distance 47km Grade 1- easy 5-6hrs
Your day starts at Altitude bikes in Alexandra where we set you up with a personalized fitting of your bike. A 40-minute drive to Auripo Road will take you to the start of your cycle adventure, or you can extend your ride to Oturehua to include Gilchrist’s Store & Hayes Engineering. Within the first kilometre from Auripo Road you will cross your first viaduct before entering one of the two tunnels along the way. Don’t forget to bring a torch!! After a pleasant 10km ride, you can stop at the small township of Lauder.
The trail is predominantly downhill starting at 444 metres down to 178 metres where you will enjoy the free-wheeling down Tiger Hill to reach the award-winning hotel of Chatto Creek (19km). Here you can stop for ice cream or a cool drink in the shaded beer garden. Chatto Creek also has the smallest operating Post Office in New Zealand. You then have just another 17kms enjoying the local farms of the area and crossing another viaduct before reaching the township of Alexandra.
Day Package includes bike hire and shuttle to Auripo Road
Standard Bikes $120
E-Bikes $180
Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Distance 35km, Including 13km jet boat ride Grade 1-3, 4-5 hrs
If you are looking for a real taste of historic Central Otago then this ride is for you!Visually spectacular and stretching from Alexandra through to the Roxburgh Hydro Dam, the trail follows the Clutha Mata-au River south past rugged bluffs, old schist huts and other gold mining relics. The first stretch to Doctors Point (10km) is relatively cruisey with a wide track flanked by bluffs up to 350m-high in some places, stacked stone walls and hidden rock bivvies. The 13km jet boat ride offers you a rare chance to see some interesting sights deep in the gorge, before you set off again biking another 12km from Shingle Creek to Roxburgh Hydro (Grade 2-3 easy). Cross over the Hydro Dam to the start of the Clutha Gold Trail and ride the 8km to the township of Roxburgh where you meet with your shuttle at one of the local cafes for your return trip back to Alexandra.
Day Package includes bike hire, jet boat and return shuttle to Alexandra
Standard Bikes $275
E-Bikes $350
Lake Dunstan Trail
Distance 42-52km Grade 2-3, 3-5 hrs
Your trip today starts outside Altitude Bikes in Alexandra where we set you up with your bikes, or alternatively, we can collect you from your accommodation ready to be shuttled through to the start of the Lake Dunstan Trail in Old Cromwell Town. This is a challenging bike ride through unique and fascinating landscapes as you ride along the edge of the mighty Kawarau and Clutha Rivers. Once you reach the beautiful historic township of Clyde we suggest you stop for some refreshments at one of the many cafes in the main street and then you can either ride back to Alexandra via the very popular and scenic Millennium Track (some say it is the best part of the ride) or alternatively via the Otago Central Rail Trail. (10 kms) If once you reach Clyde and run out of puff you can always phone us and we will do our best to collect you from Clyde and return you to your accommodation.
Day Package includes bike hire and shuttle to Cromwell
Standard Bikes $105
E-Bikes $165
What our customers say about us
I just wanted to let you and Dave know that Dean and I had a great day on the trail even with the rain. The manual bikes were perfect for this pleasant ride, and both were sized just right for us. And we loved the stop at Stationside Café. Thanks again for helping us make this a great day.
-Cindy & Dean (13/01/2023)
Many thanks to Dave at Altitude Bikes for setting us up for an incredible day on the Otago Rail Trail. We rented two bikes that were perfect for the ride (non-electric) and he dropped us off at the Auripo Road Station for the 48km ride back. Sue was responsible and courteous with her communications and the day was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ. Well worth the cost. Highly recommended.
-Simon Hetherington 06/03/2023