7 minute read
LAKE DUNSTAN TRAIL
CROMWELL to CLYDE
5-8 hours - 41km
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© AA Traveller 2022
The newest addition to Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, this specially built trail provides a vital link to the Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails.
Between these heritage towns, discover the landscape shaped by nature and worked by gold miners and dam-builders of the last two centuries. More recently, constructed clip-on boardwalks, an 86m suspension bridge and rock walls are sure to impress.
Riders are richly rewarded along this trail with fabulous views, food and wine.
Expansive views across to the Bannockburn vineyards, give you something to work towards, and short detours deliver you to the historic Bannockburn Hotel, or down to Felton Rd for some topnotch wineries. Wine appetites can also be worked up by climbing out of the Brannockburn Inlet to reach Carrick Winery.
If coffee floats your boat then you are in luck! Your brew will literally meet you on Cairnmuir Gully, at Coffee Afloat parked up on the lake most days from mid-morning to mid-afternoon where you can also sink your teeth into fresh scones and burgers.
Peculiar forms and unusual lines on the land are clues to the gold mining and hydropower history around here. The terrain transfers into rocky bluffs and Cromwell Gorge includes the first of the remarkable built-in boardwalks. Take your time here and you may even spot the pickaxe embedded in the rock wall! Pass under the amazing Cairnmuir Slide, a terraced stone face engineered to protectthe river from a major landslide that could overwhelm the Clyde Dam downstream.
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
CROMWELL HERITAGE PRECINCT TO BANNOCKBURN BRIDGE - GRADE 2 (EASY)
BANNOCKBURN BRIDGE TO CAIRNMUIR GULLY - GRADE 2–3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)
CAIRNMUIR GULLY TO HALFWAY HUT - GRADE 2–3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)
HALFWAY HUT TO DUNSTAN ARM ROWING CLUB - GRADE 2–3 (EASY-INTERMEDIATE)
DUNSTAN ARM ROWING CLUB TO CLYDE HERITAGE PRECINCT - GRADE 1 (EASIEST)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Mostly reliable across the trail, with some patchy areas. Text messages usually get through.
DRINKING WATER: Food and water are readily available in Cromwell and Clyde. Riders should carry more than enough for the journey, especially in summer months as there are long stretches without supplies. Refreshment can be found at the Bannockburn Hotel, nearby wineries, and Coffee Afloat can be found around the trail’s midway point.
TYPE OF BIKE: Mountain bikes are recommended. E-bikes are also permitted and available through most bike-hire companies. E-bikers should ensure that batteries have sufficient capacity and charge for the day’s riding and, if staying in local accommodation, check recharged capabilities.
Lake Dunstan Trail © Geoff Marks
RIDING THE TRAIL
There’s a total of 580m climbing between Cromwell and Clyde, with most of the ascents gentle but steady. Riders should be capable of riding the full distance, and be confident biking off-road on grade 3 (intermediate) trails.
CROMWELL HERITAGE PRECINCT—BANNOCKBURN BRIDGE, 7KM
The official start point is Cromwell Heritage with shuttles transferring riders and bikes to the start or finish. From here the trail follows the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to reach Bannockburn Bridge. Before heading onward, it’s possible to detour up to the Bannockburn Hotel or down Felton Road to some top-notch wineries.
BANNOCKBURN BRIDGE— CAIRNMUIR GULLY, 11.3KM
After crossing the Bannockburn Bridge, the trail heads around to the Bannockburn Inlet. Ascending out of the inlet to Carrick Winery before continuing towards Cornish Point.
Note that the most challenging and remote part of the trail is between Cornish Point and the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, where trail sections are narrow in places (1.5m) with steep drop-offs.
From Cornish Point, the landscape changes dramatically to rocky bluffs as the trail heads into the Cromwell Gorge. This section includes the first of the boardwalks built into the bluffs – you may prefer to walk. This section also passes under the amazing Cairnmuir Slide, a terraced stone face engineered to protect the river from a major landslide. Soon you will be approaching Cairnmuir Gully where Coffee Afloat is parked up on the lake most days.
CAIRNMUIR GULLY—HALFWAY HUT, 8.4KM
This part requires the most attention and skill as there are narrow undulating sections with steep drop-offs. Remember that the trail is two-way so expect to meet riders or walkers travelling in the opposite direction so extra care required.
Getting out of the gully requires the trail’s biggest climb – 130m vertical up the aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder. The switchbacks are designed to ensure a reasonably gentle but steady climb.
The trail’s highest point is marked by the trig point, 324m above sea level and 130m above the lake.
After an exhilarating downhill, the trail reaches the Hugo Suspension Bridge, 85.5m long and 28.6m high. A steep, walkable alternative is available for those with a fear of heights.
The trail then shares a 4WD track closer to lake level before reaching a section of trail that includes more boardwalk sections and a narrow trail before you reach the storyboard overlooking Halfway Hut.
HALFWAY HUT—DUNSTAN ARM ROWING CLUB, 10.7KM
Just past the historic Halfway Hut viewpoint are a series of switchbacks with tight corners and a decent climb/descent. After is mainly plain sailing to the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, except for some short, tricky Grade 3 riding around Jackson and Byford Creeks, and Annan Gully.
DUNSTAN ARM ROWING CLUB— CLYDE HERITAGE PRECINCT, 3.5KM
The trail follows the road uphill past the Clyde Dam and turns left off the road to descend down to the Clutha Matau-Au Riverside track and Clyde Bridge. Cross over to reach the historic town of Clyde marking the southern end of the Lake Dunstan Trail and the western end of the Otago Central Rail Trail.
Lake Dunstan © Tourism Central Otago/Will Nelson
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
• Cromwell Heritage Precinct The construction of Clyde Dam involved the flooding of Cromwell’s historic centre, but a handful of buildings were saved and rebuilt as the Heritage Precinct. This now sits on the banks of Lake Dunstan, with art galleries and shops.
• Bannockburn’s world-class wineries pave the road (via slight detours) but are perfect pockets to enjoy a relaxed lunch.
• Cromwell gorge’s lake and mountain scenery will prove to be a distraction from the path ahead due its vast beauty.
• Boardwalk sections around craggy bluffs are satisfying to coast. Take your time to spot the pickaxe lodged in the rock wall.
• Refuel at Cairnmuir Gully’s Coffee Afloat, nestled into the shoreline. Sink your teeth into one of their mouth-watering burgers and finish up with a heavenly scone before pressing on.
• The 86m-long, 29m-high Hugo Suspension Bridge is a treat to travel over, but those none too keen on heights can bypass it in exchange for a steep but walkable alternative.
• Burton Creek Recreation Area offers a pretty campground with million-dollar views of the lake and Clyde Dam.
• Clyde Dam is New Zealand’s largest concrete hydro-dam.
Clutha River in Clyde © Adobe Stock
EXTEND YOUR RIDE
Ideal for families and less experienced riders, this 16km section of the trail traces the Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, making for an excellent short ride.
Riders carrying on from Clyde to Alexandra can stay on the true right of the Clutha Mata-au River and follow it downstream via the family-friendly Millennium Track for another 12km.
At Clyde, the trail links with New Zealand’s original Great Ride the Otago Central Rail Trail. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail (and in turn the Clutha Gold Trail) is also easily accessed at Alexandra, reached from Clyde via the Rail Trail or via the Millennium Track on the other side of the Clutha Mata-Au River.
