Otago Central Rail Trail

What to expect on the trail

The Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand’s first great ride will take you on a ride of discovery, revealing truly unique and breathtaking scenery not readily accessible by other means and unlike any other in New Zealand.

This is a journey into the heart of Central Otago of dry rocky outcrops, productive farmland, river gorges, tunnels and viaducts.  Small longstanding goldmining townships with old stone and mud-brick cottages have been built along the trail, many of which have been there since the 1900s.

The trail extends for 152 km from Clyde to Middlemarch along the former railway route.  It has a wide gravel path with a gentle 1.5 gradient making it the ideal trail to introduce yourself to riding if you do not have a lot of experience.  If you would like to cycle the entire trail it generally takes four days to complete comfortably, (allowing approx. 4 hours of riding per day) but for those of you who are more “ride fit”, you can do it anywhere from 2 – 3 days.

The trail is divided into sections so you can choose to ride the entire trail, or just cycle portions of it.

There are many opportunities to take detours to places such as dams, gold mining relics, curling, cafes and museums along the way.  Travelling the Rail Trail also allows you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and romance of the railway and the gold rush.  We have some lovely places of accommodation for you to choose from built in the era of the gold mining days that have been restored beautifully and offer such a great place to rest your body after a day of cycling.

Whatever your interest, the trail offers the solitude to reflect amid the transforming light of expansive skies and the vast Central Otago Landscape.

We are more than happy to take the hassle out of the bookings for you, just email us with an indication of your expectations and we will be happy to accommodate you.