The most popular starting point is at Clyde which is a 60 minute drive from Queenstown Airport and Dunedin Airport is 50 minutes from Middlemarch.
The trail traverses over historic viaducts, through hand built tunnels connecting the former railway station sites and small towns along the way.
It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the solitude, the neighbouring farms and our local history amongst some spectacular scenery away from vehicles on an easy trail.
Trail Map
The Trail is a 152-kilometre ride or walk that follows the former Otago Central railway line between Middlemarch and Clyde. The gravelled trail has a gentle gradient of 1:50 making it ideal for recreational cyclists and walkers.
Can I ride only specific sections of the Trail?
Yes - the Trail has many entry and exit points and can be experienced as a ride from Station to Station, see the map for Station sites. As you will not be completing the whole trail make sure you include a section with tunnels and viaducts, so either the Poolburn Gorge or the section between Daisybank and Hyde.
Will I have mobile phone coverage?
For most of the trail you will have coverage. The sections through the Poolburn Gorge and between Tiroti Bridge and Hyde have weak or no coverage at all.
If I only have a day what section should I ride?
We suggest a section that would include viaducts and tunnels. So a section that would include Prices Creek or the Poolburn Gorge. But do check out the popular itineraries section of our website for more information on one day trips.