Cycle Trail Takes Shape in the Kawarau Gorge

Six months after construction started on the Kawarau Gorge Trail, seven kilometres of the trail has been formed: an incredible 26% of the 27 kilometre project. Two experienced contractor companies are working in five different locations within the Kawarau Gorge creating the trail, some of which can be easily seen from the State Highway 6.  

Southern Lakes Trails Trust is delighted with progress to date, especially during the freezing winter months.

Working with the trail contractors are ecological and archaeological experts who have been on the ground, identifying features and completing actions to protect all the treasures in the gorge.

In addition, specialist rock scalers are addressing those areas with a potential for rock fall. They have been scaling and removing rocks, to ensure that the area below is safe for our contractors and ultimately our future trail users.  Some of the landowners, who have given easement through their properties, have also started to contribute to the work with some physical enhancements of their land in preparation for the trail coming through their properties.

NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi has started work on specialised sections of the trail around the Nevis Bluff, starting on the from the Gibbston Valley side of the Bluff.

“We know the riding public will be as enthusiastic as we are, however, we remind the public to stay out of hazardous work areas,” comments Southern Lakes Trails Trust Chair, Aaron Halstead. 

“We are well on target for an opening in the summer of 2025,” he adds.

The Kawarau Gorge Trail is a pivotal component of a game-changing project to connect the four Great Rides in the Otago region, creating 530km of continuous trail network across Queenstown, Central Otago and connecting through to Waihola near Dunedin.