The trail then shares a 4WD track closer to lake level before reaching a section of trail that was the toughest to build and virtually all hand made. A satisfying ride can be had from the Clyde. Constructed between 1977 and 1992 as one of the then prime minsters Think Big projects, the 100m-high, 490m-wide concrete structure is New Zealands third-largest hydro-dam. Cromwell Heritage PrecinctBannockburn Bridge. Central Otago is a fantastic year-round cycling destination, with the colour palette changing dramatically through the seasons. Highlights Trail Detail Day Rides Need to Know Plan Your Trip Lake Dunstan Trail Download trail map Share ride View on New Zealand Cycling Map Visit the trail website The water was there due to a dam being built in the 1930s to provide irrigation water for the valley below. From Poolburn, its 50 km mostly downhill to Alexandra. This section requires the most attention and skills as there are narrow sections and more gradient. Those who followed were scarcely better prepared; some perished in the harsh landscape, many returned to Dunedin emptyhanded and disillusioned, a few became wealthy overnight. I must spend more time in Central Otago, the bikepacking opportunities are immense my family may also be close by. In those hardy days all the miners provisions had to be carted in from Dunedina two- or three-week round trip by horse-drawn dray, and even longer for a bullock wagon. Your email address will not be published. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. Winter cold drove some to suicide.. Alternatively, a fun way to start is to catch the train to Middlemarch or Pukerangi (see Otago Rail Trail). It is rutted in places, slippery when wet, dusty when dry and can be closed in winter by snow and ice. This was the most direct route back then, but only passable in fair weather. Old Dunstan Road. Be at the cutting edge, setting directions and accepting challenges. This area experiences extremes of weather any time of year, so go well prepared. Getting out the gully requires the trails biggest climb 130 vertical metres up the aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder. This trail is two way (dual direction). Some sections can be exposed to high winds so check weather alerts. However, its possible to enjoy shorter rides on the trail, a few ideas for which follow here. The Lake Dunstan Cycling & Walking Trail can be accessed from Cromwell or Clyde. XVIII. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to the track. It was mid-winter, 1862, when Hartley and Reilly found gold in the Cromwell Gorge, a few kilometres downriver from Cromwell. Id finally biked the Old Dunstan Trail and it was fantastic. There's also a 16km section of trail that traces the pretty Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. TimeZoneOne The climbing began again at that cattle stop. [1], The road begins at Clarks Junction in the Strath-Taieri, where it meets SH 87, and extends to the northwest, crossing between the Lammermoor and Rock and Pillar Range before turning north. Several national bike tour companies offer customised tours of popular South Island cycle trails, with Christchurch and Queenstown popular departure points for international visitors. It looks a wonderful spot to simply explore the many rocks and land around. Discover how you can get involved with the New Zealand Heritage List/Rrangi Krero. There are toilets in Cromwell and Clyde and at various points along the trail including Bannockburn Inlet, Cairnmuir Ladder (near Coffee Afloat), Halfway Hut, and Dunstan Arm Rowing Club. Please use the above parking locations and park considerately; do not block access to any driveway, boat ramp or trail access point. A series of scenic highways thread through this part of the South Island, including the Central Otago Touring Route stretching between Queenstown and Dunedin (via Cromwell) via the Maniototo. Grade 1. After Cromwell, known as Clutha River. Otago Central Rail Trail - NZ's Original Great Ride | Central Otago In places two or more teams were needed to pull a single dray up a steep incline, and on the descents a large rock was often tied on behind to slow the lurching wagon as it careered downhill. Nary a soul about, I was wary of getting stuck up here in the incoming weather although I did have sufficient pork scratchings to see us through. From Cromwell its an easy ride to Bannockburns world-class cellar doors and winery restaurants. journeys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au. The Clutha (known then as the Molyneux, after Robert Mollineux, sailing master of the Endeavour) had been unusually low that year, revealing shingle flats that could be panned and sieved for their gleaming booty. The road is sealed at the start and turns to gravel after 9.2km. $1 trial for two weeks, thereafter $8.50 every two months, cancel any time. If you go any further than the river, youll be on private land. The New Zealand Heritage List/Rrangi Krero (the List) is Aotearoa New Zealands national record of our rich and diverse place-based heritage. Great Rides of New Zealand | 100% Pure New Zealand The original road now traverses private farmland towards an area called Blackball. To share your ride story or trail tip you need to be logged in. Below you will find the full trail map, information about trail markings and sections and you will be able to download the trail map adapted to various running apps. Close to Halfway Hut you will find a short switch back section with tight corners and a good climb / descent. Photographed by Peter Meecham. At Cromwell Heritage Precinct be sure to park up and explore the boutique galleries, retail stores, restaurants and cafe's. The Lake Dunstan Trail links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell. Just past the historic Halfway Hut viewpoint is a series of switchbackswith tight corners and a decent climb/descent. The road loosely follows the trail that was used by gold miners traipsing from Dunedin to Dunstan (now Clyde) in the 1860s. Is the Old Dunstan Road paved? The Old Dunstan Road turns off to the left here, and you head into an isolated and barren Central Otago landscape. Nine of our number were bundled into support vehicles suffering from hypothermia, but for the rest of us the blizzard blew and whipped for an eternity. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. Lake Dunstan Trail - Bike it Now! The Dunstan, like Gabriels Gully 18 months earlier, was to become an irresistible magnet to thousands of fortune seekers. The road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. The Lake Dunstan Trail is managed by a not-for-profit charitable trust, so if you've enjoyed your ride or walk on the trail, then you're invited to make a donation towards its ongoing maintenance. Getting to Central Otago is easy with flights into Queenstown and Dunedin. The road was part of the original route called the Mountain Road taken by hardy people seeking their goldrush fortunes in the early 1860s, to travel from Dunedin to the goldfields in Central Otago. Lake Dunstan Trail Mountain Biking Trail - | Trailforks These sections are only suitable for confident, experienced cyclists and are not recommended for most children. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Lake Dunstan Trail - Cycling and Walking Trail | Central Otago It's not just traditional accommodation, all these historic banks, halls and stables have been repurposed, redesigned, and refurbished to suit the needs of today yep, they even have wifi. E-bikes are also permitted and available through most bike-hire companies. Following the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn bridge, you will have amazing vistas across the lake to Bannockburn vineyards and the next section of trail which loops back round on the opposite side. Poolburn Dam Brown Trout Fishing - 300 Hectare Lake in Ida Valley Otago The first power was generated in 1992. A detailed description of this Great Ride, including maps and more information, can be found here. Im sold on bivy bags now and will soon have my own to further lessen my bikepacking load on certain trips. Toilets are at either end of this section at Cairnmuir Gully & Halfway Hut. Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail | Electric Bike | Packages | Trips From there it's mainly plain sailing to the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, except for some short, tricky, grade 3 riding around Jackson and Byford Creeks, and Annan Gully. At the pub we turn right and thats the start (from the western end) of the Dunstan Trail though a road sign to say it was the Old Dunstan Road would've have been nice.
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