Otago Central Rail Trail is Part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail

The New Zealand Cycle Trail is also called the Nga Haerenga and is actually a series of many  trails throughout New Zealand. In all, there  are 20 trails that comprise the New Zealand Cycle Track. The bike trails are in various stages of development:

  • 4 are currently completely open and ready for bike riding from end to end.Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail logo
  • 13 of the New Zealand trails have sections open and are still being constructed.
  • 3 of the bike tracks are still in the planning phase.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail offers bike trails for everyone including cycling trails with varying grade levels:

  • bike rider going over bridge on Otago Central Rail Trail in New ZealandTwelve of the New Zealand cycle tracks are considered easy.
  • Three of the New Zealand cycle tracks are considered intermediate.
  • Three of the New Zealand cycle tracks are considered advanced.
  • One of the New Zealand cycle tracks is considered expert level.

One of the most famous cycle tracks in New Zealand is complete and makes a great bike ride for all levels of riders. Named after the original railway line, built between 1891 and 1907, the Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand’s original ‘Great Ride’, was first opened to the public in 2000.

Steeped in history, the rail-trail offers a 150 kilometre scenic and historic journey into the Central Otago heartland.  This is big sky country where cyclists will traverse ever-changing mountainous, dry and rocky landscapes, high country sheep stations, spectacular river gorges, tunnels, viaducts and more.

There are over 20 townships located on and off the trail to explore… (Read more by visiting the link below.)

via Otago Central Rail Trail | Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/16/otago-central-rail-trail-is-part-of-the-new-zealand-cycle-trail/

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    • Ross-Barry Finlayson on 04/16/2012 at
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    Kevin.Most of these trails are famular to me. But, unfortunately, I have not done many of them.

  1. It sounds like a bicyclist could spend all summer biking all these trails. Go ahead, twist my arm. Is this on the north or south island? (or both?)

      • Ross-Barry Finlayson on 04/16/2012 at
      • Reply

      The trail you have posted is in the South Island, in a very beautiful part of the country.But there again,every part of N.Z. is very beautiful (Of course I would say that).

      1. I’m packin’ my bags. I’d love to return to New Zealand, rent a bike and spend a couple months on these trails.

    • Ross-Barry Finlayson on 04/16/2012 at
    • Reply

    Just a couple of months! You will need more than that.

  2. I’m not sure if I can talk my daughter into going to school there. (-:

  1. […] searches are up in Australia and New Zealand. I’m not sure about Australia, but I know that New Zealand in particular has recently made a concerted effort not only to build new trails but (and this is important) also to connect their trails and to publicize trails. I can’t […]

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