152 km of old railway between Clyde and Middlemarch, three to five days by bike, starting about an hour from Queenstown.
The Otago Central Rail Trail follows the old Otago Central Branch railway for 152 km between Clyde and Middlemarch. Clyde is about an hour's drive from Queenstown, which makes it the natural end to start from.
Most people ride it over three to five days, staying in the small towns along the way - Alexandra, Chatto Creek, Omakau, Lauder, Oturehua, Wedderburn, Ranfurly, Waipiata, Kokonga and Hyde - with Ophir, St Bathans and Naseby a short detour off the trail. It is an old railway formation, so the gradients are gentle the whole way and the riding is well within reach of anyone who cycles occasionally. Walking the full length takes considerably longer.
You can ride it self-guided and arrange your own bike hire, bag transfers and beds, or book a package that handles all three. Either way, book accommodation early over summer: the towns are small and the beds run out before the trail does.
Full details, trail conditions and operator listings are at otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz.
