Otago Central Rail Trail

Central Otago is home to three of New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides; the Otago Central Rail Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, and the Clutha Gold Trail, which can be joint together for over 250km of unforgettable off-road riding through some of Central Otago’s most spectacular destinations. Most of New Zealand’s Great Rides are multi-day experiences, but can easily be split into shorter rides of various lengths and difficulty levels if preferred. With each Great Ride also being graded from 1 to 5 (with 5 being the most challenging and typically reserved for expert riders) picking the right track for you is made a whole lot easier. The Otago Central Rail Trail is the easiest of the three in the region, with majority of the track being Grade 1 difficulty. The trail follows disused railway lines that journey to over 20 different townships and cover an incredible 152km of Otago heartland. Featuring mostly compacted gravel pathways that are easy to cycle or walk on and no really steep hills or dips, with enough space for cyclist to easily pass one another, the Otago Central Rail Trail is an enjoyable and scenic ride and one of the best ways to experience the Otago countryside.