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Kawarau Gorge Trail Opening Date

New trail to open late 2026

Kawarau Gorge Trail

Kawarau Gorge Trail
Geoff Marks

News & Events Kawarau Gorge Trail Opening Date

The public opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail has been delayed, with a new date for full opening expected in late 2026. 

The trail will be partially open from 25th October between Cromwell Heritage Precinct and the Pioneer Bridge near Goldfields Mining Centre. Access between Pioneer Bridge and Gibbston will remain closed as construction work is finished.

Upon completion, the Kawarau Gorge Trail will connect Queenstown’s trails with the other Otago cycle trails, to form a connected network of over 550km of purpose-built, off-road cycling and walking trails.

The Kawarau Gorge is a dramatic canyon carved by the Kawarau River and the construction of the 36km long trail has required complex and ambitious engineering. The trail includes numerous styles of bridges, including 4 dramatic bluff bridges. The trail itself is playful but also challenging, with lengthy grade 3 sections and the middle 13km of the trail is through a remote backcountry environment with no alternate exit routes. Southern Lakes Trails Trust recommends that all users familiarise themselves with the trail safety information as the Kawarau Gorge Trail is a challenging ride and not recommended for beginners or young children.

Please note that there is strictly no public access to the trail until the official opening as the trail is currently a construction site with significant risks and hazards.

Kawarau Gorge Trail

Map of the Kawarau Gorge Trail, due to open 25th October 2026

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