The Otago Central Rail Trail is New Zealand's most popular multi-day ride for casual recreational cyclists. At the height of the season - December to May - upwards of 200 people start the trail every day.
The 152 km (95 mile) trail crosses the stark, expansive, rugged, arid and majestic landscapes of Central Otago. It can be very hot in summer (December, January, February) and very cold in winter (June, July, August) but is usually quite mild. The panoramas are stunning and you pass interesting towns and villages. There are historic viaducts and bridges to cross and there are tunnels.
At the Middlemarch end you can link to Dunedin on the scenic Taieri Gorge Train and at the Clyde end you are close to Queenstown - scenic and adrenalin paradise with endless mountain biking trails.
The trail been around for many years and the infrastructure is well developed. There are many operators to help you plan an itinerary to suit your fitness, book your accommodation (endless options!), recommend eateries (plentiful and varied choices!) shuttle you in or out, give you maps and brochures, set you up on suitable bikes and so on. At the official website, www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz, you'll find lists of tour operators, bike outfitters, places to stay and eat and much much more. Don't miss their map.
On the bed of a former railway line, the all-weather trail has very gentle gradients. The gravel surface is a little jittery and at times the long, straight, flat riding can become tedious - especially when you're pumping into a head wind. The trail is free to ride and is open all year. In good weather, it's a mellow adventure for all the family. It's the kind of ride that you do in a group where the attraction is not so much about the pedalling - it's about the social setting, the cafes, the pubs, the wineries, the scenery and the history.
You can start the trail at either end. Most people start at Clyde to take advantage of the prevailing winds (which often don't prevail!).
A typical four day itinerary would be...
Clyde to Omakau, 37km...
Omakau to Wedderburn, 41 km...
Wedderburn to Kokonga, 32 km...
Kokonga to Middlemarch, 42 km...
And here's a typical three day itinerary...
Clyde to Lauder, 44 km...
Lauder to Ranfurly, 48 km...
Ranfurly to Middlemarch, 60 km...
From Middlemarch you can either take the spectacular Taieri Gorge train trip back to Dunedin, or shuttle back to Clyde.
There are a number of side trips you can do if you want to extend the pleasure. Naseby is famous for its curling court. It also has a good mountain bike park. St Bathans is another interesting place with a little lake in a stunning setting. The very short detour to historic Ophir is a must-do.
For a one day sample of the best of the trail get a double shuttle and ride from Ida Valley to Chatto Creek. You'll cross the Raggedy Range and take in the Poolburn Gorge with the Viaduct and two tunnels. The trail mostly slopes down here and the pub at Chatto Creek is a great place to re-live the adventure over a meal and drink.
For a longer adventure add the Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail to the beginning or end of your ride. Both those trails have corners and undulations so they are a grade harder but still easy and their scenery is more varied.
In January, on long weekends and at Easter you should definitely book accommodation well ahead of time.
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