Otago Central Rail Trail

The track The rail trail is similar to riding or walking on a reasonably level gravel road or track, as the gradient rarely exceeds 1 in 50. The trail surface is gravel, so you can expect some bumps and loose material. The track is wide enough to allow for side-by-side riding. Walkers, cyclists, dogs and horses all share the track, so take care and respect other users. Weather The trail gets very hot in summer and temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius. Sections of the track are exposed with little shelter, so pack sun protection and plenty of water. In winter, temperatures can be cold with frosty mornings. Strong winds can happen at any time of year and make biking much harder. Services Some sections of the track have limited services – plan your stops accordingly. There are no shops or accommodation between Hyde and Middlemarch. The trail mainly has cell phone coverage but there are some sections that have patchy or no reception.

The Otago Central Rail Trail is graded as Easy: Grade 2 and is a good choice for families or less experienced mountain bikers. However, be aware that the trail is 152 km, which is a long way and means 4-5 hours a day on a bike. For this reason, pre-trip training on rougher ground is a good idea. You will have a much more enjoyable experience when you do the trail. Average walking speed is 4-6 km/hr and for cyclists it's 10-12 km/hr. Most cyclists cover the 152 km over 3–4 days and walkers can take up to a week. There are shorter and day ride alternatives to the full trail. Many people do several sections over a period of time – kids of all ages will love the tunnels and viaducts on the Lauder to Auripo section.

Be ready for all weather by packing plenty of water, sun protection, and warm, waterproof and windproof clothing. You will need a hybrid or mountain bike and remember a torch for the tunnels. You can plan your trip and find packing lists on the Otago Central Rail Trail website .