Roxburgh Gorge Trail Cycling Experience
Self-guided - Two nights
A journey into another world – experience the beauty of isolation.
The Roxburgh Gorge is a stunning landscape providing a remote wilderness experience. It is one of New Zealand’s great rides and is breathtakingly different. Cycling is a great way to experience the Roxburgh Gorge. The trail is open all year round and has a well-formed, 2.5-metre-wide, gravel surface with some climbs. It takes between four to five hours to cycle.
Price
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Trip Duration:
6 to 7 hours depending on the numbers of stop and how long lunch break is.
Grade
2 (Easy)
Activity
Cycling
Distance
34km
Itinerary
Your day begins with a substantial, nourishing breakfast before your transport collects you to take you to the start of the trail in Alexandra. This is a 30-minute drive.
From the start of the trail in Alexandra, you pass under the Alexandra Bridge and beside the historic bridge piers. The Manuherikia River joins the Clutha and you enter the gorge within 1km of the start of the track. The transition to a rugged, natural environment is almost immediate. The trail gains height as it makes its way toward Butchers Creek (4.1km) where there are stone-walled water races and remnants of the gold mining days. At Doctors Point, you meet the boat transfer between Doctors Point and Shingle Creek. The stunning trip includes a historical commentary. Sit back and enjoy the wonder of being in another world. From Shingle Creek you ride through to Elbow Creek, before passing through a small secluded valley and regenerating Ka-nuka (Tea tree) scrubland and on to Lake Roxburgh Dam lookout. Close by is your accommodation at Lake Roxburgh Lodge.
If you are cycling in late spring, the hillsides will be covered in an aromatic purple flower – this is wild thyme. In summer, the dramatic colours of the Clutha River are a dynamic contrast to the grey, schist rock outcrops. In autumn, the willow trees on the water’s edge provide a beautiful golden foreground.
The package includes:
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A bike to meet your comfort with helmet, repair puncture kit
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E bikes are available on request
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Jet boat transfer
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Transport to Alexandra
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Accommodation: Two nights at Lake Roxburgh Lodge in a standard studio room
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Meals: Includes two evening dinners, two breakfasts and a packed lunch for your cycle journey
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Maintenance tag which supports the volunteers who have built and maintained the Roxburgh Gorge Trail
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Trail map and passport
Pre-trip briefing
The night before your ride you’ll be briefed on the departure time and equipped with a bike that suits you for comfort and fit.
What you need to be prepared:
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Water bottle – take plenty of water with you
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Clothing – layers of clothing are important as the climate can change
quickly. Include a rain jacket
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Central Otago is known for its sunny days – bring your sunscreen
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Camera
Accommodation Pre and Post Tour Package
If you wish to arrive a day or two before your package dates or stay on after let us know and we will discuss our options with you.
Accommodation can be upgraded to a superior guest room choosing Deluxe Package option. For other upgrade options please ask.
Dietary Requirements
Provided we are advised in advance of your stay we can cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets which include allergies and intolerances. Please discuss your requirements with Anna.
What is the maintenance tag?
Your package includes a maintenance tag – this is an opportunity to give back to the community and the environment. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail has been created with the generous support of landowners, volunteers and tangata whenua. These trails are part-funded by local and central government, and managed and maintained by a not-for-profit trail company — the Central Otago Clutha Trail Company Ltd.
Maintaining the trail surface and structures for the benefits of safety and longevity is a key focus and high priority for this volunteer group and its contractors. The tag is a way of supporting the Trail Company and ensuring that the Roxburgh Gorge experience will be enjoyed for generations to come. All funds generated are used for trail maintenance.
Trip Availability
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to call us now to check availability. We always need to ensure other services, like the transport and boat, are also available before we can confirm your place on this experience.
