SHEBIKESHEBIKES
Otago Central Rail Trail
152 km · Clyde to Middlemarch · Grade 1 · 3 to 5 days
Length
152 km
Duration
3-5 days
NZ trail grade
Grade 1-easy
Gradient
Gentle
Best direction
Clyde to Middlemarch
Season
Year round
THE TRAIL
What to expect on the Otago Central Rail Trail
Great for you if...
- You want a multi-day ride with no hills and no technical riding. The trail follows an old railway line, so the climbs are so gentle you’ll barely notice them.
- You’re riding as a family or a group with mixed fitness. Grade 1 means everyone from the kids to the grandparents can do it, and an e-bike makes the longer days easy.
- It’s your first cycle tour. Wide formed surface, no traffic, and a town with a bed and a hot feed at the end of each day.
- You’d rather sleep in a pub or a cottage than a tent. Accommodation is spaced right along the route.
- You’re here for the big Central Otago country: tunnels, viaducts, gold-era history and huge open skies, not forest singletrack.
- You like to set your own pace over three to five days.
Worth knowing before you go
- Start at either end, Clyde or Middlemarch. You’ll want your car shifted or a shuttle back at the end, which is the bit we sort for you.
- Like any outdoor activity in New Zealand, the weather and wind can turn quickly, so pack layers even in summer.
- It’s about the landscape, the history and the people, not adrenaline. If you’re after technical mountain biking, this isn’t the trail for it.
- Summer days can be hot with little shade, and spring and autumn mornings can be frosty. Both are good riding, you just just need to be prepared.
- Carry water and snacks to get you through from town to town.
PLANNING YOUR RIDE
How long does the Otago Central Rail Trail take?
3 Days
Suits confident riders comfortable with longer days in the saddle.
- Day 1: Clyde to Lauder, 37 km
- Day 2: Lauder to Waipiata, 56 km
- Day 3: Waipiata to Middlemarch, 53 km
4 Days
The most popular option. Manageable days with time to explore each town.
- Day 1: Clyde to Omakau / Ophir, 37 km
- Day 2: Omakau to Wedderburn / Naseby, 42 km
- Day 3: Wedderburn to Hyde, 46 km
- Day 4: Hyde to Middlemarch, 27 km
5 Days
A relaxed pace with shorter days. Good for families and anyone who wants time to wander.
- Day 1: Clyde to Omakau / Ophir, 37 km
- Day 2: Omakau to Oturehua, 30 km
- Day 3: Oturehua to Ranfurly / Naseby, 26 km
- Day 4: Ranfurly to Hyde, 33 km
- Day 5: Hyde to Middlemarch, 27 km
MAP & DISTANCES
Otago Rail Trail map and distances
Interactive GPS Map
| Stage | Leg | Total from Clyde |
|---|---|---|
| Clyde → Alexandra | 8 km | 8 km |
| Alexandra → Galloway | 7 km | 15 km |
| Galloway → Chatto Creek | 10 km | 25 km |
| Chatto Creek → Omakau | 12 km | 37 km |
| Omakau → Lauder | 7 km | 44 km |
| Lauder → Auripo | 10.5 km | 54.5 km |
| Auripo → Ida Valley | 4 km | 58.5 km |
| Ida Valley → Oturehua | 8 km | 66.5 km |
| Oturehua → Wedderburn | 12 km | 78.5 km |
| Wedderburn → Ranfurly | 13.5 km | 92 km |
| Ranfurly → Waipiata | 7.5 km | 99.5 km |
| Waipiata → Kokonga | 10.5 km | 110 km |
| Kokonga → Daisy Bank | 4 km | 114 km |
| Daisy Bank → Tiroiti | 4 km | 118 km |
| Tiroiti → Hyde | 7 km | 125 km |
| Hyde → Rock and Pillar | 14 km | 139 km |
| Rock and Pillar → Ngapuna | 7 km | 146 km |
| Ngapuna → Middlemarch | 6 km | 152 km |
HISTORY
A brief history of the Rail Trail
The Otago Central Rail Trail was New Zealand’s first rail trail and the original Great Ride. It opened in February 2000 along the route of the Otago Central Railway, the line that carried people and freight through the interior for over a century. What was a working railway from 1879 to 1990 is now 152 km of gentle, traffic-free riding between Clyde and Middlemarch.
- 1879
- The Otago Central Railway opens up the interior, built after the 1860s gold rushes to link Central Otago with Dunedin.
- 1990
- The last train leaves Clyde on 29 April. After more than a century, the line closes.
- 1993
- The Department of Conservation takes over the 152 km corridor for public recreation.
- 1994
- The Otago Central Rail Trail Trust forms to build the trail in partnership with DOC.
- February 2000
- The trail opens as New Zealand’s first rail trail. Six years of work, over $1 million raised, and all 68 bridges re-decked.
- 2012
- Joins Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail, a network it helped inspire.
Māori pathways: the original trails
Long before the railway, Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) and other Māori iwi traversed Central Otago using natural river valleys and inland passes. These ancient pathways, such as along the Taieri River, connected coastal settlements with seasonal inland mahika kai (food gathering areas).
Māori travelled to hunt, gather kai like eels and native plants, and return with resources. Many parts of today’s trail mirror these ancient pathways, continuing a legacy of movement through Central Otago’s high country and plains.
BOOK YOUR TRIP
Otago Rail Trail packages
Multi day
- Luxury
4 days
All cyclists - fabulous ride for groups
From: $1150 NZD per adult
- Luxury
4 days
All cyclists - fabulous ride for groups
From: $1000 NZD per adult
3 days
All cyclists - you need to be fit and saddle ready for 3 days and 152 km
Around: $495 NZD per adult
Most popular
4 days
All cyclists - fabulous ride for families and groups
Around: $730 NZD per adult
5 days
All cyclists - fabulous ride for families and groups
Around: $1063 NZD per adult
Day trips
Clutha Loop Ride - Clyde
All cyclists - note the River Track trail is narrow in some parts
From $60 NZD per adult on MTB
DeVineCycle - Clyde
All cyclists - note the River Track trail is narrow in some parts
From: $85 NZD per adult
LOGISTICS AND HIRE
Bikes and transport - sorted
Need a bike? Hire an e-bike or MTB from our Clyde, Omakau or Middlemarch depots. Riding one way? We’ll shuttle your car or transfer your luggage so you don’t have to double back.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation along the trail
The little towns along the trail have a range of accommodation to suit just about all requirements.
Budget
Comfort
Well equipped, extra touches
Luxury
Refined comfort
YOUR TRUSTED GUIDE FOR 16+ YEARS
Why ride with SheBikesHeBikes
Local knowledge
On-trail support
Great value
Great bikes
WE 'VE GOT THE ANSWERS
FAQ's
How long does it take to do the Otago Rail Trail?
Cycling the full 152 km (94 miles) of the Rail Trail takes most people 3 to 5 days, averaging 30 to 40 km per day.
You can also walk the trail
How much does it cost to ride the Rail Trail?
The trail is free to ride. We help by putting together an itinerary to meet your day(s) and budget. Indicative pricing is shown in our packages section.
What's the best time of year to ride?
We recommend multi-day trips in spring through autumn. If you’re here in winter then we recommend day trips as a way to experience the Otago Rail Trail.
What gear should I bring?
Layers of clothing that you can add or take off are best, with enough for the forecast conditions. Gloves or some form are also recommended.
Always carry a water proof shell layer.
We provide you with a comprehensive gear list tuned for each season.
We’ve been helping people ride the trail for 16+ years and can answer pretty much any question, though we do get surprised from time to time.
That’s where experience kicks in and we can bring our knowledge to answer anything novel.