Otago Central Rail Trail
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Otago Central Rail Trail
This is an awesome trip which can be done as a whole ride (3 days) or in many shorter sections. The ride is along an old rail trail so its never too steep since back in the day trains used to travel along it. It crosses an amazing part of Central Otago. There is a lot of history surrounding the area and there are information boards dotted along the entire trail.
It is best done in the warmer months as it can be quite exposed to wind and snow during the winter. Suitable for all abilities, a good family trip.
Even though its really popular there can be long stretches where you are on your own, and you don't see how busy it is until you stop at one of the many quaint towns and see about a hundred bikes lined up outside the shops and cafes.
There are lots of accommodation options ranging from free camping to fancy bed and breakfasts. You can be self sufficient, or get a shuttle company to drop your bags off at your abode at night.
You can also hire all your equipment at either end of the trip.
Great scenery and people. Enjoy.
Details
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Organisation |
Otago Central Rail Trail TrustCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Central Otago ▷ Alexandra |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Cycling
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Started in Ranfurly and cycled 50km - amazing track to see Central Otago!
Only had to pay for the bike hire.
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4.0/5
Apart from some long boring bits it had some really pretty spots like the Ida Valley to Lauder.
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5.0/5
Multiday bike through Central Otago landscape.
Free, but for $10/day they will drop your bags off at each campsite along the way. Do it in April for amazing autumnal colours.
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4.5/5
Fantastic four day mountain bike ride.
You can hire bikes and do as much or as little of the trail as you can.
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5.0/5
What an experience!
11!
We took our time and did the track in 4 days.
Took some sidetrips and did a total of 220km.
Make sure to get of the track and bike to St.Bathans. Not an easy ride, but man! So worth it! Beautiful 'old' (NZ-old) town, and the blue lake, magic!
The track itself was so surprising! So much variation, so much fun and... Really not that difficult.
One of the best things we've done in our one-year-in-NZ! 10000% recommended!
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5.0/5
Spectacular scenery and great company within our group.
We were lucky to have John as our guide. His patience, help, knowledge and understanding of our needs could not be faulted. The guide at Hayes Engineering made that side-trip worthwhile and the hospitality during the farm trip from Wedderburn was greatly appreciated. We also found previously unknown Curling talents among our group ! Our accommodation hosts at Clyde (Dunstan House) and Lauder (School House) were also quite magnificent. We really needed to double our mileage to justify all the wonderful food too !
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3.5/5
maybe good for family or people with average fitness as there are no steep or technical sections.
i expected more "scenic" things but some sections where really boring (flat, straight...) for me. rode from ranfurly to omakau and back. as fit mountain biker i was bored by the trail and decided not to stay at clyde over night as planned.
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5.0/5
Wicked!
A cruisy trip, lots of bridges to cross (don't go too fast as i blew up my tire), amazing views and some good chats with people along the way. Would recommend to anyone - if you get tired you can just push your bike to the nearest town and easily find somewhere to eat and sleep.
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3.0/5
On the bikes a nice change not to have any trucks or campervans passing by.
Otherwise not as impressive as imagined. Still nice though. Some very rough parts.
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4.5/5
Started in Ranfurly and cycled 50km - amazing track to see Central Otago!
Only had to pay for the bike hire.
-
4.0/5
Apart from some long boring bits it had some really pretty spots like the Ida Valley to Lauder.
-
5.0/5
What an experience!
11!
We took our time and did the track in 4 days.
Took some sidetrips and did a total of 220km.
Make sure to get of the track and bike to St.Bathans. Not an easy ride, but man! So worth it! Beautiful 'old' (NZ-old) town, and the blue lake, magic!
The track itself was so surprising! So much variation, so much fun and... Really not that difficult.
One of the best things we've done in our one-year-in-NZ! 10000% recommended!
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4.5/5
Fantastic four day mountain bike ride.
You can hire bikes and do as much or as little of the trail as you can.
-
5.0/5
Multiday bike through Central Otago landscape.
Free, but for $10/day they will drop your bags off at each campsite along the way. Do it in April for amazing autumnal colours.
-
5.0/5
Spectacular scenery and great company within our group.
We were lucky to have John as our guide. His patience, help, knowledge and understanding of our needs could not be faulted. The guide at Hayes Engineering made that side-trip worthwhile and the hospitality during the farm trip from Wedderburn was greatly appreciated. We also found previously unknown Curling talents among our group ! Our accommodation hosts at Clyde (Dunstan House) and Lauder (School House) were also quite magnificent. We really needed to double our mileage to justify all the wonderful food too !
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3.5/5
maybe good for family or people with average fitness as there are no steep or technical sections.
i expected more "scenic" things but some sections where really boring (flat, straight...) for me. rode from ranfurly to omakau and back. as fit mountain biker i was bored by the trail and decided not to stay at clyde over night as planned.
-
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5.0/5
Wicked!
A cruisy trip, lots of bridges to cross (don't go too fast as i blew up my tire), amazing views and some good chats with people along the way. Would recommend to anyone - if you get tired you can just push your bike to the nearest town and easily find somewhere to eat and sleep.
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3.5/5
Omarama Saddle to St Bathins and Thomson Gorge Road - Laude/Omakau to Tarras.
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5.0/5
Fantastic - but need good weather.
Lovely small pubs to stay or small B&Bs - great scenery.
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4.5/5
A top trail.
4 days is a perfect time. 3 was a little quick. Check accommodation online before booking. Bring clothing for warm and cold weather.
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4.5/5
Stunning landscape and do-able in 2 days.
Accommodation on the way + enough restaurants as well in small villages on the way.
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5.0/5
Brilliant for those interested in cycling.
Great scenery, easy cycling, very good accommodation available.
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4.0/5
Alexandra - Ranfurly.
We went on a mountain bike track by ourselves from Alexandra to Ranfurly. Very beautiful environment. Only had to pay for the bike rental.
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3.0/5
On the bikes a nice change not to have any trucks or campervans passing by.
Otherwise not as impressive as imagined. Still nice though. Some very rough parts.
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5.0/5
You can do any or all of this 152km cycle/walk for free - stunning scenery + historic sites including tunnels & viaducts.
A must do!
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4.0/5
Great ride.
If you have the fitness easily completed in 3 days. The last qtr of the year you should ride from Clyde to Middlemarch and not the reverse unless you like headwinds most of the way
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4.5/5
Really good if you have the energy, nice places to stay along the way.
Scenery was stunning!
