Mountain Bike Trails in Central Otago District

Clutha Gold Trail 4

Clutha Gold Trailhttps://www.cluthagold.co.nz/plan-your-trip/trail-mapshttps://centralotagonz.com/tracks-and-trails/clutha-gold-trail/Beaumont to Lawrence - 19.4km From Beaumont you start the climb towards the highest point of the trail and through the Big Hill Tunnel (a torch is recommended for the tunnel). After the tunnel you descend into lush green farmland connecting with and crossing the highway several times, before arriving in Lawrence - Otago's first gold rush town. There are many reminders of the area's history along the route, including discovery of gold, milling flax fibre for rope making around Evans Flat and the arrival of the Chinese prospectors to the goldfields.

Cross Crunchy

Start as for Night Carts until you start going into the pines then take your first left. A bit more technical climbing until the last downhill. Follow Up Bros to get to carpark.

MARY'S TRAIL

A great introduction trail to XC skiing.

Night Carts

A bit of easy up and down before you hit the main downhill section. Joins Cross Crunchy at the bottom follow Up Bros to get back to carpark.

Otago Central Rail Trail

This is an easy 2-3 days ride with a wide variety of accommodation options along the way, and has become New Zealand's most popular cycling holiday destinations due to its accessibility to all. It can also be done in a single day for those wanting something a bit more testing. Below is the blurb from the NZ Cycle Trails Website:Named after the original railway line, built between 1891 and 1907, the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand’s original ‘Great Ride’, was first opened to the public in 2000. Steeped in history, the Rail Trail offers a 150 kilometre scenic and historic journey into the Central Otago heartland. This is big sky country where cyclists will traverse ever-changing mountainous, dry and rocky landscapes, high country sheep stations, spectacular river gorges, tunnels, viaducts and more. There are over 20 townships located on and off the trail to explore, with opportunities to meet the pioneer-spirited locals and to take detours and side trips to unique places such as old abandoned gold diggings left over from the gold rush and the country’s only international curling rink. The Otago Central Rail Trail is also a testament to human endeavour. The detailed workmanship of the stone bridges and tunnel facings along the trail have stood the test of time and the mountains still bear scars of the races, built back in the 1860s to bring water to the long gone gold mines. The Central Otago climate is characterised by hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall. As the seasons change, the landscape is dominated by a stunning kaleidoscope of browns, golds and reds. The Otago Central Rail Trail was established in 1994 and officially opened in 2000 by the Governor General Sir Michael Hardie Boys. In 2012 it became part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Outram Glen

This section of the Outram Glen Tracks leads to the Lee Stream Confluence with the Taieri River. It has many steeps ups and downs in both directions. Not a suitable track for mountain biking for the vast majority of riders.

Outram Glen

This first section of the Outram Glen Tracks goes to Taieri River beach. This section stays relatively close to the river and is reasonably wide and flat. Can be prone to flooding.

Pooh Street

Mainly just an access track to get to Pee Woks.

THE LOOP

The Snow Farm NZ is a non-profit XC ski area, located in the Cardrona Valley near Wanaka. In Winter a pass is required to use the 55km of groomed skiing trails and 24km of snowshoe trail. During Summer the trails are open to the public for walking and MTB. There are also 4 alpine Huts with 6 to 36 bunks, bookings essential. Snow Farm provides easy access to the Pisa Conservation Area, with 360 degree views of Central Otago and the Southern Alps from Mt Pisa @ 1963m. With a base elevation of 1520m, the whole area is alpine, and visitors should be prepared for variable conditions, including cold, wind and snow. For more information and hut bookings visit our website snowfarm.nz.

The Roaring Lion Trail

Welcome Rock Trails is a private trail on private land, prior payment and booking is required online before embarking on this journey. Suitable for mountain bikers or hikers with the option of overnighting in one of our back country huts. This trail is a single track, cross country mountain bike/hiking trail. Hand built on one of NZ’s longest historic water races (water races were channels cut across a hillside bringing water from streams to places where gold was mined). We have called this trail ‘ The Roaring Lion Trail’ as it follows the historic Roaring Lion water race.

Up Bros

This is the easiest way back to carpark. So mainly a hill climb but can be used for beginners going down hill.