Otago Central Rail Trail: Great Ride Guide, Sections & Planning

Overview

The Otago Central Rail Trail follows the old railway line through Central Otago between Clyde and Middlemarch. It's the trail that inspired the whole Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network, and it's New Zealand's oldest cycle trail. The route runs about 152 km, past gold-rush remnants, railway tunnels and viaducts, high-country farms and a string of friendly small towns with cafés, pubs and wineries.

It's Grade 1 (easiest) all the way, which makes it one of the easiest Great Rides and a favourite for families and older or rusty riders. The catch is the length. Most riders allow 3–5 days, and walkers at least 6.

Highlights

• Central Otago's striking schist landscapes and big skies
• Poolburn Gorge, with two tunnels (201 m and 230 m) and the 108 m Poolburn Viaduct
• Gold-rush towns like Ophir and the detour to St Bathans and its eerie lake
• Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead and Gilchrist's Store at Oturehua
• The trail's high point (618 m) near Wedderburn, and the famous Wedderburn goods shed
• Curling on the frozen Ida Burn Dam in winter, and stargazing year-round

Trail sections

You can start from either end, or join at any of the towns along the way.

Day ride ideas

Need to know

• Surface: Smooth and wide, with loose gravel in places. There are no especially steep climbs, but some long inclines.
• Bike: A hybrid or mountain bike, and e-bikes are allowed. Check you can recharge at your accommodation.
• Season: Rideable year-round. Summer can hit 35°C, autumn and spring are usually pleasant, and winter brings freezing temperatures, occasional snow and solitude. Many businesses close from mid-May to early September.
• Food and water: There are plenty of cafés and pubs, but long stretches with no food or water, so fill your bottles every morning.
• Mobile coverage: Decent on most of the trail, but weak or absent in remote sections.
• Dogs: Allowed, kept under control. Horses are allowed at walking pace.

Getting there and logistics

• Alexandra is the largest town on the trail. Clyde, Cromwell, Queenstown and Dunedin are common bases.
• Queenstown and Dunedin airports are each about an hour from the trail, and tour operators run pickups.
• In summer, the Taieri Gorge Railway from Dunedin to Pukerangi carries cyclists, and you can ride on to Middlemarch from there.
• InterCity buses serve Alexandra and Clyde.
• There's bike hire in Clyde, Alexandra, Omakau, Ranfurly and Middlemarch, plus shuttles, luggage transfers and guided tours.
• There are more than 100 places to stay along the trail. Book well ahead for the peak season (roughly January to April).

Check the trail website or Facebook page for current alerts and detours before you go.