Shotover Gorge Trail Mountain Bike Trail

The Shotover Gorge Trail is a spectacular journey along the Lower Shotover Gorge, passing through the historic Hugo Tunnel and crossing the Kimi-ākau bridge which spans the gorge at Tucker Beach.Starting outside Gantleys Tavern, take the Arthurs Point Link Trail towards Queenstown until the trailhead for the Shotover Gorge Trail appears on the left. A gentle descent through Sycamore forest meanders above the Shotover/Kimi-ākau river above Big Beach towards the lower gorge.The Trail enters the 108m long Hugo Tunnel, a spectacular passage into the lower gorge and insight into the regions goldmining history. Solar lighting is activated with a push button just inside the tunnel portal. The tunnel tramlines are left in-situ, so be wary and please walk your bike.Once at the far end, the trail turns back upstream to climb up to the lip of the gorge on ‘Lyttles Ladder’ – This section is narrow and steep, with a couple of grade 4 corners – less experienced cyclists should enjoy this short section as a walk and push their bikes up the switchbacks. Incredible views of the gorge below open up as you climb, and are best enjoyed from ‘Bucks Balcony’ as the trail weaves towards Tucker Beach. At the top of the tunnel climb, an intersection allows a connection with the tunnel bypass route and Wharehuanui Trail via Littles Road (large flood events will close the tunnel trail.) The switchbacks down to Littles Road are quite steep and tight, caution advised.Continuing downstream on the Shotover Gorge Trail, the lip of the canyon opens out to a wider landscape, and drops into ‘Little Stream’, crossing McQuilkin’s Bridge.Approaching Tucker Beach, a junction allows for an exit to Fitpatrick Road up a steep farm track, or a more technical grade 4 adventure on the non-surfaced Lower Shotover Trail along the true-left of the river. The main trail zig zags down towards the spectacular 90m Kimi-ākau suspension bridge and joins the Tucker Beach Trail at the DOC carpark.