Lake Dunstan Trail: Cromwell to Clyde Through the Cromwell Gorge

Overview

The Lake Dunstan Trail links the heritage towns of Cromwell and Clyde through the dramatic Cromwell Gorge. Track builders bolted clip-on boardwalks to the bluffs, strung the 86 m Hugo suspension bridge across a gully, and hand-stacked impressive rock walls. Along the way there are Bannockburn's wineries and, around halfway, a floating café on the lake.

The official ride is 41 km from the Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Clyde, with 580 m of climbing. It's mostly Grade 2 (easy), but narrow sections with steep drop-offs push parts of it to Grade 3. At Clyde it links with the Otago Central Rail Trail, and via Alexandra with the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails.

Highlights

• Lake and mountain scenery in the Cromwell Gorge
• Gold-mining and dam-building history, including the engineered Cairnmuir Slide
• Boardwalks around craggy bluffs, and the 85.5 m-long, 28.6 m-high Hugo suspension bridge
• Clyde Dam, 100 m high and 490 m wide
• Bannockburn wineries
• Coffee Afloat, the floating café at Cairnmuir Gully

Trail sections

The most demanding part is between Cornish Point and the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, where the trail is as narrow as 1.5 m with steep drop-offs. Expect two-way traffic, and walk if you need to. The Cairnmuir Ladder switchbacks climb 130 m to the trail's high point, a trig at 324 m. If you're afraid of heights, there's a steep walkable alternative to the Hugo bridge.

Day rides

The Bannockburn Inlet picnic area, which has a swimming area and toilets, makes a good turnaround point for families.

Need to know

• Fitness: Average fitness is enough, though you may push up a few climbs. Watch the official safety video to check the trail suits you.
• Bike: A mountain bike is recommended. E-bikes are allowed.
• Shuttles don't run to a timetable, so book through operators or the i-SITE.
• Weather: Hot, dry summers and freezing winters, and the gorge can be windy. Wild thyme flowers purple in late spring.
• Food and water: Available in Cromwell, Bannockburn, Clyde and at Coffee Afloat (call ahead if you're a big group). Carry plenty of water in summer.
• Toilets: At Bannockburn Inlet, Cairnmuir, Halfway Hut and the rowing club.
• Dogs: Not allowed between Cornish Point and the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club. No horses.

Getting there

Queenstown Airport is 45 minutes from Cromwell and an hour from Clyde. InterCity serves both towns, and you can hire bikes in either. Book ahead for December to April.