3 Day Itinerary Middlemarch to Clyde

Our Recommendation: Day 1/Night 1 (start Middlemarch, finish Waipiata )

From Middlemarch it’s a gentle 27km climb through the Strath Taieri Valley to Hyde. Our recommendation is cycle as far as Waipiata (52km from Middlemarch).

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

Our Recommendation: Day 2/Night 2 ( start Waipiata, finish Lauder)

Three days divided into the 152km of the Otago Central Rail Trail equals around 50km per day, pretty close to today’s recommended ride from Waipiata to Lauder (48km).

Do try to give Oturehua your time. On the northern outskirts is the historic Golden Progress Mine where Otago’s last remaining wooden gantry. Oturehua is also home to New Zealand’s longest serving general store and Hayes Engineering Works and Homestead where there’s something for men and women.

From Oturehua, the trail crosses the floor of the Ida Valley and up a gradual climb to the Poolburn Railway Viaduct. From there it’s a relaxing downhill ride through the fantastic Poolburn Gorge with its two long tunnels (don’t forget to bring a torch) and the chance of spying a kārearea, the NZ native falcon and world’s fastest diving bird of prey.

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

Our Recommendation: Day 3 (start Lauder, finish Clyde)

Your final day on the Otago Central Rail Trail.  it’s a relatively easy pedal from Lauder to Clyde that includes the fun of freewheeling down Tiger Hill between Omakau/Ophir and Chatto Creek. Day 3 can also become Night 3 on the Rail Trail should you plan to stay in Clyde, offering plenty to see and do.

Clyde is so close to Queenstown what better way to complete your Otago Central Rail Trail experience than to at least get a taste of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination. Year round Intercity departs Clyde for Queenstown. ( Intercity Bus Timetable ) 

If you wish to bus back to Dunedin, timetables will have a big influence in your overnighting decisions… Intercity departs the Clyde Trail Head daily for Dunedin.

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

 Self Planning Guide

Introduction to Self PlanningClyde to Middlemarch3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryMiddlemarch to Clyde3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryFAQsWeather & WindSeasons on the Trail
Trail Map
Click to download the trail map

The Rail Trail Guide Book

The single most important resource when travelling the Central Otago Rail Trail

A beautifully crafted book with amazing photography by Peter Andrews showing Central Otago as it truly is, one of the most rugged, extreme and beautiful locations on the planet. Stunning scenery, amazing and important historical and current information, detailed maps, lists of accommodation, frequently asked questions, where to eat, how far between towns, etc. It’s all in here.

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