Otago Central Rail Trail

A track devoted to walkers, cyclists, and horse riders – this 150 km pathway has been redeveloped from its historic routes as a railway and is now specialised for recreational use. Voted as the 16th of the 101 must do’s for Kiwi’s, the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust is a non-profit organisation that has turned an important slice of Otago history into a celebrated leisure activity. 

Annual highlights for the track include two fierce races ‘The Rail Trail Challenge’ involving running and biking the entirety of the track and taking place in late February while ‘The Duathlon’ involving two legs of cycling and one leg of running gruels participants on the last Sunday of November.  

For the non-competitive, the Rail Trail is a marvellous way to see such stunning countryside and has plenty of picturesque, historic gold-mining townships to stop at for refreshments or accommodation.  

Detailed information is available on the Rail Trail website but it is pleasant to note the Trail is suitable for families and has a team (the New Zealand Department of Conservation), dedicated to ensuring the safety and maintenance of the route. This is a chance to immerse yourself in history and the largely untouched landscape with opportunities to see sites neither visible nor accessible from the main highway.  

Both guided tours and self-guided options are available.  

http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/