Must-Do's Cycling 2022-23

Page 120

OTAGO CENTRAL Rail Trail GREAT RIDE • OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL

Manuherikia Bridge No. 1 at start of the Poolburn Gorge © Otago Central Rail Trail

TRAIL INFO BEST FOR: Experiencing New Zealand’s original Great Ride, the one that inspired the entire network.

CLYDE to MIDDLEMARCH 1-5 days

152km

It’s the cycle trail that put many of the Central Otago’s small, forgotten towns back on the map. By encompassing all that is warm and welcoming about Central Otago, this former railway track provides an incredibly wholesome experience, and one that is largely nurtured by the locals. TOP TIP – Autumn is a fantastic season to undertake this ride, notably for the astounding colours of the foliage which are rich in golden hues, but it’s also an ideal time – temperature wise.

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et ready for some good old southern hospitality. Over the course of five days and 152km, you’ll bank many friendly encounters. All off-road

1-5 Days 152km

and with no traffic to contend with, there’s only expansive terrain and self-reliant townships rich in craftmanship. Country cafés serve coffee and home-made cakes, while the wineries celebrate the region’s grape offerings. You can admire the tough grind of a working farm or discover how New Zealand’s worldfamous wool is grown. Open year-round, the trail can be started from either end (Clyde or Middlemarch), or broken into shorter 1-4 day-rides to suit your agenda. The experience is designed to be slow, so you can dismount frequently and consume both the delicious scenery and local flavours. The landscape abounds with railway stations, tunnels and viaducts, as well as fascinating remnants from the gold rush era, including towns that still feature mud-brick walls and stone buildings. For every charming country pub, there are old-world general stores. If anything, you’ve cycled back in time; yesteryear’s simplicities are both the secret and the seduction of Central Otago.

TRAIL GRADES ALL GRADE 1 (EASIEST) CLYDE TO CHATTO CREEK, 25KM CHATTO CREEK TO LAUDER, 19KM LAUDER TO ŌTŪRĒHUA, 22.5KM ŌTŪRĒHUA TO RANFURLY, 25.5KM RANFURLY TO HYDE, 32.5KM HYDE TO MIDDLEMARCH, 27.5KM MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage is decent for the majority of the trail, but gets weak or nonexistent in more remote sections. DRINKING WATER: Fill up your water bottles before you leave your accommodation each day, and refill (or purchase more) as you pass through the settlements. TYPE OF BIKE: A hybrid or mountain bike is recommended. E-bikes are also permitted. GRADE 1 (EASIEST)


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WEST COAST WILDERNESS TRAIL

7min
pages 90-92

MOLESWORTH MUSTER TRAIL

4min
pages 98-99

RAINBOW TRAIL

5min
pages 100-101

ST JAMES CYCLE TRAIL

8min
pages 102-104

HURUNUI TRAIL

8min
pages 106-108

LITTLE RIVER RAIL TRAIL

6min
pages 110-111

ALPS 2 OCEAN CYCLE TRAIL

9min
pages 113-116

OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL

8min
pages 120-122

LAKE DUNSTAN TRAIL

7min
pages 125-127

THE OLD GHOST ROAD

8min
pages 86-89

ROXBURGH GORGE TRAIL

6min
pages 129-131

CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL

7min
pages 132-134

THE QUEENSTOWN TRAIL

8min
pages 135-137

AROUND THE MOUNTAINS CYCLE TRAIL

6min
pages 140-142

SOUTHLAND TRAVERSE

3min
pages 145-146

Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails for First Timers

3min
page 14

Kia ora from Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails

2min
page 11

Plan Your Ride

3min
page 13

WAINUIOMATA CONNECTOR RIDE

2min
page 75

REMUTAKA CYCLE TRAIL

7min
pages 71-73

MANAWATŪ CYCLEWAY

7min
pages 68-69

TASMAN'S GREAT TASTE TRAIL

10min
pages 81-85

HAWKE'S BAY TRAILS

7min
pages 63-65

COPPERMINE TRAIL

6min
pages 79-80

QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK

7min
pages 76-78

FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY CYCLE ROUTE

5min
pages 61-62

MOUNTAINS TO SEA NGĀ ARA TUHONO

8min
pages 58-60

GREAT LAKE TRAILS

7min
pages 56-57

THE TIMBER TRAIL

6min
pages 53-55

RERE FALLS TRAIL

4min
pages 51-52

MOTU TRAILS

7min
pages 46-48

WHAKAREWAREWA FOREST LOOP

6min
pages 40-42

WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS

6min
pages 36-39

HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL

8min
pages 32-34

KAIPARA MISSING LINK

6min
pages 30-31

KAURI COAST CYCLEWAY

6min
pages 28-29

FAR NORTH CYCLEWAY

5min
pages 26-27

POU HERENGA TAI TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL

5min
pages 18-19

Bikepacking in New Zealand

6min
pages 16-17
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