The Skippers Pack Track is a four kilometre ride on singletrack down through a gully that leads to the Shotover River. The trail is narrow and concave but there are no tricky corners, drops or anything else that will try to knock you off. It is not a purpose built mountain bike trail - it follows an old mining horse track. At the end of the singletrack you join Skippers Road. From there you can climb the six kilometers back to the saddle or you can carry on 15 km to the ghost town of Skippers. The gravel road is narrow, steep, winding and seriously undulating with some vertigious exposure but the scenery is stunning.
If you do ride on to Skippers, the old mining ghost town, and then back up to the saddle where you started, your ride will total 34 km (21 miles) and your total elevation gain (and loss) will be 1000 metres (3300 feet). If you just ride down the pack track and back up Skippers Road it's 10km (6 miles) and the elevation gain/loss is about 550 metres (1800 feet).
I'll be doing Skippers end of the month 4 days 3 nights to see heaps should be fun
| ThankI love these rides with history, heritage and stunning scenery. Don't miss it and don't turn round at the bottom; go along the gravel road to Skippers.
| ThankThe actual pack track is a nice but fairly ho-hum down-slope ride but it's in a spectacular setting with loads of heritage. You probably wouldn't do it without carrying on up the Skippers Gorge to the ghost town - either on your bike or by shuttle. There you'll find some interesting panels about the history, geology, and ecology of this legendary gold mining area with its rugged canyon and it's scary road. There are also some restored buildings and walks to points of interest.
This is a ride into history with spectacular scenery. The road up Skippers Canyon is consistently rated in the top 10 most dangerous roads in the world!
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