This is a 112km (70 mile) remote back-country cycle touring route mainly on a gravel road.. It is normally only open from Boxing Day to Easter Monday.
Here is a description of the route taken from http://www.nzcycletrail.com/rainbow-trail...
"The Rainbow Trail starts approximately 9 km east of St Arnaud at the Rainbow Road turn-off on State Highway 63. The trail starts with a sealed section of road that winds its way to the Old Rainbow Homestead and toll gate where you will pay the $2 fee during the open season. Permission for access is required outside the open season.
"Beyond the old Rainbow Homestead and toll gate the Rainbow experience really begins. The trail fords a number of streams and crosses a bridge over the Wairau River before entering 'Hell's Gate', a scenic narrow gorge. You'll find the Coldwater Creek campsite just above the gorge and the boundary between Rainbow and Molesworth stations is just a little further on from there.
"The turn off to the Sedgemere Sleepout is located just after the trail recrosses the Wairau - it's a few hundred metres down a side road off the trail. A short detour past the sleepout carpark will provide you with a spectacular view over several high country lakes.
"Island Saddle marks the highest point on this route and the boundary between Marlborough and Canterbury. Not far from Island Saddle, a further detour (3 km) will take you to Lake Tennyson, a scenic lake formed by a glacial moraine dam - and an ideal spot for a picnic.
"Approaching Hanmer Springs there is a 3-way intersection at the top of Jacks Pass. If you're keen for more cycling, continue left here on to the Molesworth Muster Trail, a 207 km cycle trail through Molesworth Station to Blenheim. Though you might want to stop in Hanmer to restock supplies first.
"Heading right down Clarence Valley Road, you'll enjoy a long downhill into the Hanmer Springs township and a soak in the famous hot thermal springs."
The route is used for a celebrated annual mountain bike race called the Rainbow Rage. http://www.rainbowrage.co.nz. The photos on Singletracks were taken during this event a few years ago.
This is a back-country sub-alpine gravel road cycle touring route normally ridden in two days. It is generally ridden for the remote high country experience and the challenge. The other reason is for the excitement and fellowship of hundreds of other idiots in the annual Rainbow Rage!!
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