With the wind at our backs and views like this, it was rather pleasant. The Lake Dunstan Walking and Cycling Trail links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to track. It's 46 km long. a smile on the face of the wagoner. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. Later horticulture and pastoral farming became features of the landscape. It is possible to return to Cromwell on a trail alongside Bannockburn Road - making for a wonderful short and family friendly day ride. Central Otago is a fantastic year-round cycling destination, with the colour palette changing dramatically through the seasons. Much of the route is only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles or those with experience, and should only be attempted with a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). We came from the left of shot, from over those ridges, to intersect with the gravel road. Subscribe to our free newsletter for news and prizes. This puts you on the side away from the dropoffs. Lots of inspiration! The New Zealand Heritage List/Rrangi Krero (the List) is Aotearoa New Zealands national record of our rich and diverse place-based heritage. Check out this great safety video to see whether this trail is right for you. Summer heat maddened as frosty valleys became furnaces. This was the most direct route back then, but only passable in fair weather. One route, from Tuapeka, followed the Molyneux River all the way. A map showing the planned 500km continuous trail network from Queenstown to Dunedin, estimated in 2018 to cost . To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Crowding in for a not-really-a-summit selfie, and trying to get the bikes in too. In summer, riders should pack a sun hat and sunscreen (as well as plenty of water), but also preferably a lightweight top for fuller sun protection on high UV days. Get dropped off at the Smiths Way car park and bike back to town, or start from Cromwell and turn it into a 24 hour, 32km return ride. The odd vehicle kicking up a fair cloud, but they were few and far behind. Beyond the settlement of Pisa Moorings the trail crosses the 45th Parallel on its way to Lowburn where there are toilets and a car park. Head south, through Patearoa and take the Linnburn Runs Rd turnoff (40km). It looks a wonderful spot to simply explore the many rocks and land around. Grade 1. We made it! Lake Dunstan Trail Need to know The trail ranges from grade 2 (easy) to 3 (intermediate), mostly following wide, smooth gravel and earth paths with some sections of wooden boardwalk. The road loosely follows the trail that was used by gold miners traipsing from Dunedin to Dunstan (now Clyde) in the 1860s. The road ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. Hartley and Reilly had lost their gold pan, and used bare hands and a broken shovel. We neednt go up onto the Rock and Pillars, rather complete the trail to the highway and ride to Middlemarch for dinner and sleep. The Lake Dunstan Trail links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell. In the winter months which is still a great time to ride some businesses run on limited hours. The jail here has a fireplace that may be useful if its raining or snowing. Or please provide your feedback by completing a trail survey so that improvements can continuously be made to the trail experience. Much of the route is only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles or those with experience, and should only be attempted with a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 2,202 m blue climb. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. Erected in a busy pedestrian route in central Auckland in 1993 to commemorate the centenary of womens suffrage in New Zealand. . This is where you can join the Old Dunstan Road, the modern access. The road loosely follows the trail that was used by gold miners traipsing from Dunedin to Dunstan (now Clyde) in the 1860s. This was made keeping in mind that the weather was due to pack it in that night, but there were contingencies. Its mostly uphill cycling, northwest on Highway 87, to Clarks Junction 49 km from Dunedin. I must spend more time in Central Otago, the bikepacking opportunities are immense my family may also be close by. Date: 1/06/2008. After crossing the Bannockburn Bridge, the trail heads around to a pretty Bannockburn Inlet where there is picnic area (with designated swimming area), car park and toilet a good point of return for a short, family-friendly day ride. You can then rent a vehicle, catch a bus, or book a tour and be guided through the area. New bridge Deadmans Point. A Ranfurly rider, David McAtamney, stole the show later with a farewell opera song, and Blue Jeans summed up the ride with a poem specially written for the occasion. This one was harder to find, but with a route description and a couple of maps we found it. Its 46.1 km (28.64 miles) long, running south-north from New Zealand 87 State Highway, at Clarks Junction to Upper Taieri-Paerau Road. The Hugo suspension bridge is in the middle of this section with a walkable steep land option for those uncomfortable on the bridge. This section requires the most attention and skills as there are narrow sections and more gradient. The aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder, may look daunting but the switchbacks have been designed to a maximum of 6 degree gradient with a 3m minimum radius. Five Must Do Foodies Experiences in Central Otago, Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct - 16km, Grade 1, Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn Inlet - 7km, Grade 2, Bannockburn Inlet to Cairnmuir Gully - 11.3km. Don't forget to grab a wine map too. Please use the above parking locations and park considerately; do not block access to any driveway, boat ramp or trail access point. Trail Key Trail Access and Parking Toilets Important Information The Lake Dunstan Trail is open year-round. This was one of the Think Big projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. At the time of the road's creation, it was the shortest route from the city of Dunedin to the goldfields around Clyde, or Dunstan as it was then known. Downhill across open farmland is never as fast as one hopes as one deals with all the bumps and divots on a loaded bike; this was no exception, but it was nice not to be pedaling for a bit. Trail mark No 1 . (Clive pic.) Not far from the rowing club is Burton Creek Recreation Area, a pretty campground with million-dollar views of the lake and Clyde Dam. Toilets are at either end of this section at Cairnmuir Gully & Halfway Hut. Grade 1. It is rutted in places, slippery when wet, dusty when dry and can be closed in winter by snow and ice. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unridable because of sticky mud. The Lake Dunstan Trail includes some remote terrain and challenging grade 3 riding. The road ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. The trail is well constructed albeit narrow in places making 2 way passing tricky. What could go wrong? This video showcases the Lake Dunstan Trail from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct is now open. VILNIUS is a cosmopolitan and thoroughly modern city that is relatively compact and easy to get to know, with a variety of inexpensive attractions and a lively nightlife. This trail is two way (dual direction). Today, the trail is a public road, ranging in quality from chip-sealed road to gravel track. But plans on trips like these are fluid at best and I was happy to scale this one back as I had company! Five Must Do Foodies Experiences in Central Otago, Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct - 16km, Grade 1, Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn Inlet - 7km, Grade 2, Bannockburn Inlet to Cairnmuir Gully - 11.3km. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. We were going to get to the kitchen before it closed! The water was there due to a dam being built in the 1930s to provide irrigation water for the valley below. The trail is mostly grade 2 (easy) with some gentle hill climbs and tricky bits that push it to grade 3 (intermediate). There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the Cromwell Gorge in the mid 1990s. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Watching the clock tick over far faster than the odometer, I began to reassess the goals for the day. For when work is necessary due to a state of emergency. This section follows the sealed road in places, and shares the Clyde road bridge before climbing up towards the Clyde Heritage Precinct. Even so, the route to the Dunstan was no cakewalk. Soon after crossing Silver Stream, turn right onto Milners Road. Unlimited access to every NZGeo story ever written and hundreds of hours of natural history documentaries on all your devices. By which I mean about ten or twenty cars basically rush hour. Reconciling the maps with the view above left us with the pill to swallow that we were going up that hill. The map will show you where the best spots to stop, and help you get the most out of your ride. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. These sections are only suitable for confident, experienced cyclists and are not recommended for most children. The nor-wester, while warm did at least help us up the hill. Taken By: Owen Graham. National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund. In driving rain we crested one bald brown ridge after another, thinking that each might mark the beginning of the descent, but knowing we had several hours of rocks and pillars in front of us. Leaving the valley floor, things very quickly got dry, brown and dusty. Please understand that most places on the List are private property and not accessible to the public. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. Find out more about trail safety, riding skills and equipment in the Need to Know section. This is barren territory, strewn with rocks in any shade ofbrown, with clumps of sparse yellow grass and golden tussock. The trail offers cyclists and walkers a challenging 55km ride (Grade 2-3) through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as itjourneys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au. From Cornish Point, the landscape changes dramatically to rocky bluffs as the trail heads into the Cromwell Gorge. There are a few fords to cross, thus better use a 4WD. Dogs are not permitted between Cornish Point and Dunstan Arm Rowing Club. It then arcs around the lake to reach Cromwell where it dips under the highway bridge and continues along the shoreline to reach Cromwell Heritage Precinct, a great place to park up and explore the boutique galleries, shops and cafes. Old Dunstan Road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, is a 4WD track located in the Otago Region in the South Island of New Zealand. This scenic ride will take you along the Lake Dunstan shores, through undulating hills, flat areas . Cyclists and walkers experiencing the Lake Dunstan Trail will marvel at the man-made landscapes, the rich Maori and early pioneer history, and amble through the vineyards of Bannockburn. Dunstan Arm Rowing ClubClyde Heritage Precinct. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Food and water are readily available in Cromwell and Clyde. The rain really set in, so Sunday morning we finished by riding in the rain mostly down, but at times noticeably up, to the outskirts of Dunedin where Dad picked us up and we went for a well-deserved cooked breakfast. The trail then shares a 4WD track closer to lake level before reaching a section of trail that was the toughest to build and virtually all hand made. The drive has steep parts and tops out by Rough Ridge, at 1.040m (3,412ft) above the sea level. Close to Halfway Hut you will find a short switch back section with tight corners and a good climb / descent. Make decisions with the community in mind and in harmony with the natural environment so we can help create the kind of place we can be proud of. At the pub we turn right and thats the start (from the western end) of the Dunstan Trail though a road sign to say it was the Old Dunstan Road would've have been nice. New Zealands newest lake 40km length, covering 26.4km sq of former river-bed and terraces. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. This New Zealand road or road transport-related article is a stub. It climbs to almost 1,000 metres (3,300ft) before dropping down to Paerau (known during the gold rush era as Styx). Lake Dunstan Trail Map Lake Dunstan Trail Sections Smith's Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct: 16.4km Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn Bridge - 6km Bannockburn Bridge to Cornish Point - 7.3km Cornish Point to Clyde - 25km (now open) Trip reviews Videos Essential information Videos The map can be downloaded here. As trail transport does not run to a scheduled timetable, any shuttles should be arranged in advance direct through operators or local i-SITE visitor centres. It is a great fun drive in dry weather conditions but can get a bit hairy during rain. It was 50km shorter than the Pigroot, but required the crossing of four mountain ranges: the Lammermoors, the Rock and Pillar Range, Rough Ridge and the Raggedy Range. In those hardy days all the miners provisions had to be carted in from Dunedina two- or three-week round trip by horse-drawn dray, and even longer for a bullock wagon. As it continues toward Cornish Point it passes by vineyards and olive groves - with views back across to Cromwell and the Heritage Precinct. If you go any further than the river, youll be on private land. Grade 2-3, Cairnmuir Gully to Halfway Hut - 8.4km, Grade 2 - 3, Halfway Hut to Dunstan Arm Rowing Club - 10.7km, Grade 2-3, Dunstan Arm Rowing Club to Clyde Heritage Precinct - 3.5km. To understand what to expect, to help you choose the right section of trail for your ability, and how to prepare for your ride, click here. There is a total of 580m climbing between Cromwell and Clyde, with most of the ascents gentle but steady. I had no fear of losing my hat to the wind. The road is sealed at the start and turns to gravel after 9.2km. Only averaging ten kilometres an hour by now, Middlemarch went out the window and the aim was to get to Clarks Junction before the pub closed. The newest Great Ride in Central Otago and the Southern Lakes, this specially built trail provides a vital link to the Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trail. Skip to main content Search Central OtagoSearch Our Stories People, Places & Values A mountain bike is recommended. It includes more boardwalk sections, a narrow trail that includes a switchback up with amazing hand-stacked rock walls before you reach the storyboard overlooking Halfway Hut. Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with what's happening in Central Otago, Website crafted by Those who followed were scarcely better prepared; some perished in the harsh landscape, many returned to Dunedin emptyhanded and disillusioned, a few became wealthy overnight. Started construction 1977. For a time we rode through a small gorge, the red tussock grasses were abundant. A little planning will go a long way to ensuring you have an enjoyable and comfortable trip. Peter and Sophie from Cycling in New Zealand, Lindis Loop 23 Cluden Creek to Longslip Creek, Lindis Loop 23 to the headwaters via Dromedary Hill, A40BPT4 Lyell to Mokihinui (Old Ghost Road), A40BPT3 Westport to Lyell via Denniston, A40BPT2 Ces Clark hut to Westport (Paparoa), A40BPT1 Hokitika to Ces Clark hut (Paparoa). Old Dunstan road is a great fun drive in dry weather conditions but can get a bit hairy during rain. Is the Old Dunstan Road paved? It was before the approaching ridge, huzzah. From the Smiths Way car park off SH6, the road through to Wnaka, this easy trail meanders along the edge of Dunstan to Cromwell. With Adele arriving late after work Friday night and her bike still needing to be loaded that night, I was happy with a six-thirty start on a lightly overcast day. Cromwell Heritage PrecinctBannockburn Bridge. This section includes the first of the bluff bridges, and you will cycle at the base of the stonework faces of the Cairnmuir slide, a unique feature high on the slopes above the lake. After an exhilarating downhill, the trails reaches the impressive Hugo suspension bridge, 85.5m long and 28.6m high. Some network coverage is patchy in places, but text messages will usually get through. Influx of European pioneers associated with the gold rush of the 1960s. Ng Manawhenua o Aotearoa me na Krero Tturu | National Historic Landmarks. Cross the bridge to reach Clyde. If its wide open spaces free from man-made structures that youre after, get in quick. Cellphone coverage is pretty reliable the whole length of the trail. Your email address will not be published. This trip is a collection of quiet gravel roads, 4WD tracks and old wagon trails pioneered as a bike route by gnarly cycle tourers in the 1970s. There are a few fords to cross, thus better use a 4WD. The Lake Dunstan Cycling & Walking Trail can be accessed from Cromwell or Clyde. Other nearby towns with cycling trails on tap include Alexandra, Wnaka and Queenstown. There's numerous explanation boards detailing the history of settlement, and the construction of the Dam. Some careless child of the giants left their Tonka toy just sitting there. This is section contains the highest point of the trail, rewarded with magnificent views which also means exposure to the weather.
