The Big Loop

Otago has an interconnected network of five of New Zealand’s Ngā Haerenga Great Rides, and it’s a network that continues to expand. This 500km network of purpose-built walking and cycling trails provides an opportunity for a Big Loop around the whole Otago region taking in some spectacular and diverse landscapes, not to mention vineyards, cosy country pubs and great cafes.

Whilst it’s possible to build your own itinerary for a circumnavigation of Otago by bike, it’s much easier to book your trip with a bike tour company. There are numerous bike tour operators offering 6-10 day, fully supported loop rides across Otago’s cycle trails, that can be tailored to your ability and fitness, and which include daily baggage transfers between accommodation so you can travel light and easy.

Beginning in Queenstown in the heart of the Southern Alps, a day on the Queenstown Trails will give you the opportunity to find your legs, and probably find a winery or two along the way! A new trail is currently under construction through the Kawarau Gorge which will link the Queenstown Trails to the Lake Dunstan Trail in Cromwell.

The Kawarau Gorge Trail is due for completion summer 2025 / 2026, but in the meantime, there are numerous shuttle options to take you from Queenstown to historic Clyde in Central Otago where you connect to the Otago Central Rail Trail. This is NZ’s original Great Ride and at 152km long takes most people 3-4 days to complete at a leisurely pace allowing plenty of time for coffee stops and long lunches at country pubs… its affectionately known by locals as the ‘ale trail’ due to the proliferation of watering holes en route!

Beginning your big loop of Otago on the easier sections of the Queenstown Trails and the Rail Trail allows you to ‘find your legs’, gain some experience and get used to your bike. This is especially important if you’re riding an e-bike for the first time – as opposed to jumping in at the deep end on the more challenging Lake Dunstan Trail.

At the terminus of the Rail Trail in Middlemarch, you can connect via transfer to Dunedin for a day off the bike to explore the city, or shuttle straight to Waihola and the start of the Clutha Gold Trail. For more experienced bike-packers or gravel bikers, there’s an exciting network of backcountry roads which you could navigate to connect from the Rail Trail to the Clutha Gold, but expect more hills, longer distances and less coffee stops.

The recently extended Clutha Gold Trail is a 135km journey between Waihola on the east coast and Roxburgh in Central Otago. It traverses a mix of landscapes from rolling farmland to meandering along the Mata Au | Clutha River. The trail is an easy grade 1-2 but gradually introduces some gentle hills to your ride. For most people, 2-3 days following the Clutha Gold Trail is enough time before connecting to the Roxburgh Gorge Trail for an adventurous 1-day ride into Alexandra.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail, whilst short, is a grade 2-3 trail with some more challenging climbs, descents and moderate exposure on some narrower sections of trail. A highlight of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is the jet-boat (water taxi) which connects the two ends of the trail - bookings for the jet-boat are essential.

Once in Alexandra, follow the Alexandra-Clyde River Track back to Clyde and prepare for the next day on the Lake Dunstan Trail with a hearty dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The Lake Dunstan Trail, the latest addition to New Zealand’s Great Rides, is the most challenging and technical trail on the Big Loop. It’s a 42km ride between Clyde and Cromwell on a mix of grade 2 to grade 3 trail which includes narrow, exposed sections and several long climbs and ascents. You’ll appreciate your new-found confidence and bike handling skills which you’ve mastered during the earlier sections of the ride.

Completing the Lake Dunstan Trail at the end of a 350km+ lap around Otago brings a huge sense of accomplishment and is a sensational climax to an epic journey through some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes and best cycle trails… and you just happen to pass a few vineyards on the last few kilometres of the ride if you feel like celebrating your achievement in style. Cheers!