Frequently Asked Questions

The trails are open and can be ridden year-round.

Summer and autumn are the most popular seasons for cycling, with long daylight hours in summer and colourful landscapes in autumn. Riders should be prepared for changeable weather at any time of year (think NZ’s classic “four seasons in one day”) and you should always check forecasts before and during your trip.

Otago is one of the driest regions of New Zealand making it ideal for cycling, with little rainfall to damage the trails or make them muddy. Spring (September – November) is usually the wettest time of year (although rainfall is still low) but there can be strong northwest winds – particularly in the afternoons so check the forecast noting the wind direction and plan your route accordingly.

Summers (December – February) are hot and dry, so sun protection and hydration is essential. Autumn (March – May) is the most popular season for bike riding with warm, dry days and the beautiful autumnal colours. Winter riding (June – August) can be rewarding and great for photography with snow on the hills. Obviously, warm layers are essential in the winter months, and riding can be limited due to shorter days due and daylight hours.

Summer Riding Tips | Winter Riding Tips

New Zealand’s Great Rides are graded from Grade 1 - easiest, to Grade 5 - expert, helping you match routes to your skill, fitness and confidence. Grade 1 trails are generally smooth, wide and suitable for most riders, while Grade 3 trails require more fitness and may include narrow sections, hills, loose surfaces or small river crossings; Grade 4–5 routes are for experienced or expert riders and are usually technically and physically demanding or in remote backcountry areas.

More details on trail grades here.

Not necessarily. Otago’s trail experiences can be tailored to your ability, especially if you choose shorter daily distances, book luggage transfers, use an E-Bike or pick Grade 1–2 trails. Choosing a trail that matches your fitness and ability is key, with Grade 1 trails suitable for relaxed family-style riding and Grade 2 trails suitable for most beginners or occasional cyclists. Local bike tour companies can help you plan and choose the best ride and itinerary for your fitness and experience.

For Grade 1–2 trails, a hybrid, touring bike, hardtail mountain bike, gravel bike or E-Bike are all suitable. For Grade 3, a mountain bike with wider tyres is generally more appropriate, or a gravel bike for more experienced riders.

E-Bikes are suitable on all of Otago’s Great Ride cycle trails, but some rules apply.
Only pedal-assisted E-Bikes are permitted on the trails, and only those with electric motors with a maximum power output that does not exceed 300W and which are designed to be primarily propelled by the rider. Throttle operated bikes and mopeds are prohibited on the trails.

More info on E-Bikes here.  

Yes, E-Bikes can make Otago’s trails more accessible for beginners, groups with mixed fitness levels and riders returning to cycling. New E-Bike users should spend time familiarising themselves with the bike and practising before heading onto the trail. E-Bikes are heavier, faster and can handle differently to standard bikes. Before commencing on a ride with an E-Bike always fully charge your battery and understand the range (distance) the bike can cover.

Read more about E-Bike safety here. 

If you’re undertaking a supported ride with a tour company where your main baggage is transported each day to your accommodation, then you’ll only need to carry a day bag (small backpack or pannier) for essentials. Essential gear includes warm / wet weather gear, sun protection, snacks, water, basic tools including spare tubes, small first aid kit, mobile phone and personal essentials. It is mandatory to wear a helmet in NZ.

For self-supported and remote backcountry rides, in addition to the essentials above, it’s recommended that you carry a personal locator beacon as well as additional clothing, food and water.

Check out this more detailed guide about what to pack. 

Yes. Otago’s easier Great Rides are suitable for families, especially Grade 1–2 sections which have smoother surfaces, gentle gradients and regularly spaced trail towns and services (i.e. ice creams)! The Otago Central Rail Trail and Cutha Gold Trail are both family friendly and in Queenstown the Arrow River Bridges Trail or Frankton Track are ideal for a family day out. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail from Alexandra as far as “The Narrows” is a good out-and-back ride for families, and on the Lake Dunstan Trail riding from Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct is family friendly.

(Note: the Lake Dunstan Trail beyond Cornish Point is a challenging ride and not recommended for families with young children or inexperienced riders).

Click here for a family friendly option on the Lake Dunstan Trail.

Nothing! The trails are all free to use and are open year-round.

However, the Otago Trails are all operated by charitable trusts and rely on the support of funding and donations to maintain and extend the trail networks. If you have ridden and enjoyed our trails and would like to donate you can do so here. Thank you.

Organising the logistics of a multi-day ride can be challenging and a little bit stressful, especially if you’re visiting a region for the first time. So, to make your trip easy and stress free, have a chat with one of the Otago cycle trail's official bike tour operators - local experts who literally live and breathe cycling.

Pick your trail below to find a local bike tour company:

- Queenstown Trails
- Lake Dunstan Trail
- Otago Central Rail Trail
- Roxburgh Gorge Trail
- Clutha Gold Trail 

No. Luggage-transfer services are widely available, especially on popular multi-day Great Rides. This is ideal for beginners, families, older riders and anyone wanting a more relaxed “ride light” experience. Local cycle tour companies can provide itineraries tailored to your needs and which are inclusive of bike hire, accommodation, and transport packages – perfect for those wanting an easy-to-book and supported Otago cycling holiday.

With the exception of the Queenstown Trails network where it is easy to map out connected loop rides, the rest of Otago’s Great Rides are linear ‘A to B’ style rides. Getting to the start or returning from the finish on these trails is easy with numerous bike tour operators offering shuttle services across the whole trail network.

Pick your trail below to find a local trail partner who can help with one-way logistics:

- Queenstown Trails
- Lake Dunstan Trail
- Otago Central Rail Trail
- Roxburgh Gorge Trail
- Clutha Gold Trail 

Yes, booking ahead is recommended, especially during peak riding seasons (December – April), school holidays, or long weekends. Popular places can fill quickly, particularly on the Otago Central Rail Trail, Lake Dunstan Trail, and Queenstown-based rides. Links to regional accommodation listings below:

Queenstown  | Central Otago  | Clutha | Dunedin

For a first multi-day ride, beginners should plan short riding days that allow plenty of time for coffee stops, photos and side trips. Distance alone does not tell the full story – trail grade, surface, style of bike, amount of gear carried and weather conditions matter too. For most beginners aiming for 25km – 40km per day is achievable on easy trails like the Otago Central Rail Trail or Clutha Gold Trail (especially with the assistance of an E-Bike).

Both options work. Beginners and family groups may prefer a supported package with accommodation, luggage transfers, bike hire and local advice, while experienced riders may prefer self-guided and more independent touring or bikepacking.

Otago's network of Great Rides are easy to navigate and the grade 1 & 2 trails are generally safe for most abilities, and so a guide is not necessary for most people. Bike tour operators will supply maps, GPS coordinates and detailed instructions with all their itineraries making riding logistics safe and easy.

Easy. Queenstown and Dunedin provide practical gateways with direct trans-Tasman flight connections. Queenstown Airport is even set up with bike assembly stands and tools for people that fly in with their own bikes.

Otago’s trails are all supported by experienced local tour operators which can design tailormade itineraries and packages to suit your experience, fitness, and timeframes. Itineraries are typically supported with daily luggage transfers between accommodation, airport transfers, as well as pre-booked accommodation and bike hire – including E-Bike rental options.

Queenstown and Dunedin are practical starting points because they are serviced by international airports which both have a regular schedule of daily domestic connections. Queenstown Airport has direct trans-Tasman services connecting to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast, whilst Dunedin Airport has direct flights to / from the Gold Coast in Australia.

By road, the Otago Trails are easily accessible from both the Central Otago Touring Route (between Dunedin and Queenstown) and the wider Southern Way network.

Map of Otago's Great Rides

In NZ, airlines require that your bike is packed in a proper bicycle bag or box. A bike counts as one item of your checked baggage allowance, and you may need to pay an oversized item handling fee depending on your airline. Queenstown Airport has an excellent guide to flying with a bike here.

These are the current airline requirements (as of July 2026), but check specific details with your airline in advance of departure:

• Air New Zealand: Deflating tyres is not required, but handlebars must be turned sideways, pedals removed or turned in, and struts (shocks) must not exceed 29 PSI.
• Jetstar: Requires you to deflate tyres, detach pedals, and fix the handlebars parallel to the frame.
• E-Bikes: Battery-powered devices, lithium batteries, and spare gas cartridges have strict restrictions and are usually prohibited as checked baggage. NZ airlines do not permit you to fly with E-Bike batteries. Check with your airline for details.

If you don't own a bike bag, check with your local bike shop as they often have old bike boxes available. Air New Zealand sells cardboard bike boxes at the airport, but these are subject to availability. If you pick up a box at the airport allow extra time to pack your bike and note that some tools may not be permitted in carry-on luggage.

Yes. Otago is considered one of the world’s best gravel bike destinations. Over the past 25-years, Otago has invested massively in a bike-friendly infrastructure. Beginning with the Otago Central Rail Trail, NZ’s original ‘Great Ride’ which opened in the year 2000, a network of over 500kms of purpose-built cycle trails has been developed and continues to grow. Distances between Trail Towns are never too far meaning that riders are usually close to a good coffee, a bakery and budget-friendly accommodation.

There are also thousands of kilometres of gravel roads which crisscross the Otago landscape. These roads provide countless opportunities for gravel biking, from day trips to overnight credit card rides or multi-day bikepacking adventures. Dozens of gravel routes are well documented, and rides are easily accessible from hubs across the region such as Alexandra, Cromwell, Lawrence, Dunedin and Queenstown.

Read more about gravel biking in Otago here. 

A credit card ride is a cycling term that refers to a short bikepacking or cycle touring trip where you don’t carry camping gear or too much food, because you are relying on places along the way to cover those basic needs. Your “gear” is essentially just your credit card. Credit card rides are an easy and accessible introduction to multi-day bikepacking rides, or just a great option for a weekend escape.
Find out more here.

For remote, advanced bikepacking routes you will need to be fully self-sufficient: carry navigation, food, water, wet weather gear and warm layers, tools and repair kit, emergency communication (PLB), backup power, and a realistic bail-out plan. For longer rides, an emergency shelter (bivvy bag or similar) or a tent is also a good idea.

Weather, injuries and trail conditions can quickly change the difficulty of a ride, so check forecasts regularly and be prepared to change plans if conditions deteriorate.

You should also have the fitness and experience required.

Check out the Mountain Safety Council land safety code for more information about stayign safe in the outdoors, and this useful guide to bikepacking for beginners. 

Yes. The Great Rides all regularly pass through trail towns and most will have cafés, pubs, bakeries, grocery stores, and accommodation. Distances between towns varies from trail to trail but you can expect a resupply point every 25km – 40km or so. The Great Rides all have comprehensive maps so you can plan your route and how much food or water you’ll need to carry between resupply points.

In winter the local cafes or pubs in smaller, rural towns may operate reduced opening hours or be closed, so make sure you check ahead. Likewise in peak season it pays to book ahead, especially for evening meals at pubs and restaurants.

On more remote, backcountry routes the distance between resupply points may be further, so plan to be self-sufficient and carry everything you need. Always treat any water collected from streams and creeks.

Experienced bikepackers and gravel bikers can explore longer linked gravel biking routes across Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, Clutha and Dunedin, including combinations of Great Rides, Heartland Connector Rides, gravel roads and remote backcountry 4WD tracks.

The Southern Way 1000 is a great starting point for planning a longer bikepacking mission, and the existing infrastructure which supports the Great Rides is also ideal for supporting more off-the-beaten track itineraries, i.e. the Great Rides act as arterial routes with services and supply points regularly available at trail towns so that you can link together the well-serviced trails with more remote backcountry roads.

Check out these options:

5 Bikepacking Itineraries for Beginners 
Naseby's Backroads
Lindis Valley Routes
Gravel Biking in Central Otago

Yes. Opening in September 2026, the Kawarau Gorge Trail will connect the Queenstown Trails to the wider Central Otago trail network making it possible to ride almost all the way to Dunedin on purpose-built trails. If you follow the Otago Central Rail Trail to Middlemarch then an onward connection to Dunedin via train is an option, or from Waihola on the Clutha Gold Trail it’s only a short 30min shuttle transfer to central Dunedin.

Experienced riders can link trails and quiet gravel roads to create longer journeys between Queenstown, Central Otago, Clutha and Dunedin. The new Southern Way 1000 route connects the Great Rides in Otago and Southland into an epic 1,000km bikepacking journey, from Queenstown to Dunedin and back.

The Southern Way 1000 Bikepacking Route.

The Southern Way 1000 is a bikepacking route of up to 1,000km across the lower South Island. It links multiple cycle trails between Queenstown to Dunedin and traverses Central Otago and Clutha. The classic route is a circuit of up to 1,000km, with around 10,000m vertical ascent, with grades ranging between 2-4. Approximately 80% of the route is on gravel and 20% paved surfaces. It will take most recreational riders 1–2 weeks to complete.

Read more about the Southern Way 1000. 

Southern Way 1000 Map Overview

A smile and a wave goes along way…

Ride with courtesy, keep left where appropriate, slow down around walkers and other riders, use your bell or call out before passing others, control your speed, leave gates as you find them and respect private land, wildlife and local communities.

Read more about trail etiquette here.

Cyclists in New Zealand must wear a helmet, follow the road rules, use hand signals, ride predictably and have the correct lights and reflectors when riding at night or in poor visibility. More details below:

NZTA Cycling Code |  NZCT Guide to Riding Safely

The Lake Dunstan Trail is a challenging ride and should not be underestimated.

In total, the Lake Dunstan Trail is 55km long with a vertical ascent of 580m. It takes between 4 to 6 hours to complete (one way). The trail includes remote and rugged terrain, with long climbs, and exposed, narrow sections of track. There is little shelter from the elements (wind, sun or rain) on the trail and once you are committed to the Cromwell Gorge section between Cornish Point (Bannockburn end) and the Clyde Dam there are no alternate access or exit points.

A large part of the Lake Dunstan Trail is in a backcountry environment with narrow, exposed grade 3 sections only suitable for confident, experienced cyclists. It is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

Cyclists on the Lake Dunstan Trail should be self-sufficient carrying the appropriate warm / wet weather gear, at least 2 litres of water per person, sufficient food for 4-6 hours of riding, sun protection, a first aid kit and a basic toolkit including spare tubes. There is variable cell phone coverage on the Lake Dunstan Trail, so riders may wish to carry a personal locator beacon for use in emergencies.

Watch the below video to help prepare for a safe ride on the Lake Dunstan Trail:

The Kawarau Gorge Trail is currently under construction and is scheduled to open on 19th September 2026. 

There is strictly no public access to the trail until the official opening due to the significant health and safety risks associated with the construction zone. 

The 12km "gap" in the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is currently under construction and expected to open in early 2027. 

There is strictly no public access to the trail until the official opening due to the significant health and safety risks associated with the construction zone.