Experience the charm and history of the Otago Central Rail Trail from Clyde to Middlemarch on a 3 day Otago Rail Trail Express tour. This tour runs from Queenstown to Queenstown and incorporates easy riding in epic landscapes with big skies. Go deep into history as you ride through tunnels, over bridges, along railways & riverside paths. Visit the surrounding towns of Ophir, St Bathans and Naseby, where you can try your hand at curling if you like. Taste local wines at a charming boutique vineyard in Clyde, eat delicious home-cooked food and stay in comfortable local accommodation along the way.
The adventure begins in Queenstown, where you will take in the sights before taking a short drive to the trailhead in Clyde. You will set off, following the old Otago Central railway line, passing through grand landscapes, charming towns & historic viaducts and tunnels.
The expert guides will show you the Otago Rail Trail’s best trailside highlights including visits to nearby Ophir, St Bathans, Naseby & a boutique vineyard in Clyde. You’ll also enjoy warm hospitality in accommodation full of local charm at Lauder School House and Hawkdun Lodge.
The Otago Rail Trail Express is graded introductory. There is a mix of wide and narrow trails with a few undulating hills. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and the tour operator suggests 2 hours of cycling per week for the three months leading up to your trip. They recommend training on compacted gravel trails and completing a multi-day ride prior to your trip to get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time. The more training you have done on hills and on compacted gravel, the more enjoyable your trip will be.
Note: This tour is available on-demand for a private group with a minimum of 4 people. Prices start from NZD 1,695.00 per person.