10/10/2021 Otago Central Rail Trail — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Otago Central Rail Trail Walking Mountain Biking Dog Friendly Difculty Easy Length 157.3 km Journey Time 1-5 days biking Region Otago Sub-Region Central Otago District Part of the Collection https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/otago-central-rail-trail/pdfPreview 1/5 10/10/2021 Otago Central Rail Trail — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail Pedalling Otago’s rural heart. The famous Rail Trail takes you through traditional country towns and sheep-farming land farmed by families for many generations. This popular cycle journey through beautiful pastoral landscapes offers a taste of genuine small community hospitality. Gold and pastoral farming was the heart of Central Otago's economy and the railway provided the lifeblood for these isolated communities. It's not just about the bike! This three to four-day journey is also an invitation to experience a living heritage. The now-disused rail route you’ll ride upon was built from 1893 to 1907 and enabled sheep-farming and fruit growing to prosper. Some descendants of the rst pioneers still farm here today. You’ll experience warm, rural hospitality as you travel, stop, eat and quench your thirst in the small towns, and sleep in the farm-stays, hotels and cottages along the route. You can sip a beer with the locals in the pub, enjoy home baking at the cafés, and shop in a general store. Riding or walking the trail The rail trail is similar to riding or walking on a reasonably level gravel road or track, as the gradient rarely exceeds 1 in 50, but it isn't an asphalt pathway. Work on improving the surface is continuing; trail users should expect some bumps and loose material. Would-be trailists should be aware that the trail is 150 km, which is a long way and means 4-5 hours a day on a bike. For this reason, pre-trip training on the rougher ground is a good idea, enabling you to have a much more enjoyable experience when you do the trail. Average walking speed is 4-6 km/hr and for cyclists it's 10-12 km/hr. Most cyclists cover the 150 km over 3–4 days and walkers can take up to a week. Many people do several sections over a period of time - kids of all ages will love the tunnels and viaducts on the Lauder to Auripo section. Where to stay On the trail there are two basic camping areas with toilets. One is between Daisybank and Tiroiti, the second is between Waipiata and Kokonga. Non-DOC camping grounds are located in Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Omakau, Alexandra, and Clyde. https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/otago-central-rail-trail/pdfPreview 2/5 10/10/2021 Otago Central Rail Trail — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Other accommodation (hotels, backpackers) is available in Middlemarch, Waipiata, Ranfurly, Wedderburn, Lauder, Omakau, Ophir, Alexandra, and Clyde. The Otago Central Rail Trail website (external site) has a list of accommodation options. Things to see Superb examples of the stonemason's art on even the smallest bridges and culverts. Prices Creek tunnel and viaduct between Hyde and Tiroiti. Winding through the beautiful Taieri Gorge with great views of the river and, in autumn, the colours of the leaves as they turn. The art deco buildings and restored railway station at Ranfurly. The Golden Progress mine, poppet head and other gold mining relics, a short bike ride off the trail near Oturehua. The schist bluffs, tunnels and viaduct of the Poolburn Gorge. The remnants of the historic workers' camp in the Poolburn Gorge. Country pubs in trailside towns: Waipiata, Lauder, Wedderburn and Chatto Creek. The wild thyme and schist landscape around Alexandra. Extensive views of Central Otago's 'Big Sky' landscape. Tor-studded ranges and hills and expansive upland basins, made famous through the paintings of Grahame Sydney the poetry of Brian Turner and the photography of Gilbert van Reenan. About the trail The Otago Central Rail Trail is a unique recreational facility, following the former Otago Central Branch Railway for 150 km from Middlemarch to Clyde. The rail trail is very popular and used annually by thousands of cyclists and walkers from around the world. It was developed by DOC in partnership with the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust as a recreational facility for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Since the closure of the railway in 1990, more than 60 bridges have been redecked and have had hand rails added to make them safe for trail users. The crushed rock ballast of the railway foundation has also been removed and replaced with gravel to improve the surface. The Otago Rail Trail joined Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail in March 2012. https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/otago-central-rail-trail/pdfPreview 3/5 10/10/2021 Otago Central Rail Trail — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Conditions: Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. The Otago Central Rail Trail is a Grade 1 (Easiest) trail that follows an old disused railway line. There are no especially steep climbs but some inclines are very long, making a degree of tness desirable. Be prepared for some loose gravel in places. There are over 100 hotels, motels, lodges, B&Bs located on or off the trail. Note that it pays to book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re planning to ride during the peak season (February-April). There are toilets are available at regular intervals along the trail. You can experience four seasons in one day on the Otago Central Rail Trail, so carry clothing sufcient to cope with a range of temperatures. Be sure to apply sunscreen if you’re cycling during the summer months. If you’re planning to ride during the cooler months, take care to check the availability of services before you start and bear in mind that you will have a shorter riding day. There could be snow on some sections of the trail at times. MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Coverage is good in the open plains but limited to non-existent in the gorges and tunnels, and limited sometimes during bad weather. DRINKING WATER: Please buy water as many local schemes have limited capacity and are funded locally. How to get here https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/otago-central-rail-trail/pdfPreview 4/5 10/10/2021 Otago Central Rail Trail — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Track Elevation and Map Page last updated: Sep 8, 2020, 3:41 PM https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/otago-central-rail-trail/pdfPreview 5/5.