Clutha Gold Trail
Spanning 135 km from Roxburgh Dam to Waihola and the Pacific coast, this unhurried riverside trail starts right next to The Mad Hacienda — the ideal Clutha Gold Trail accommodation in Alexandra.
135km
Roxburgh Dam to Waihola
3–4
days, unhurried pace
1–2
grade, easy
2-way
rideable in either direction
Why cyclists call this a gold-rush trail
Running 135 km alongside the river from Roxburgh Dam down to Waihola, the Clutha Gold Trail reaches the east coast for the ultimate cross-country passage. It presents a gentle, unhurried pace compared to surrounding trails, replacing steep precipices with fertile riverbanks, old gold mining paths, and charming country towns. Accessible for beginners and effortlessly split into custom daily sections, it rides beautifully in either direction. This experience draws cyclists searching for a true Central Otago cycle trail accommodation base that prioritizes the rider over a standard hotel room.
What you'll ride past
The early stretches of the trail carry the most character — old gold-mining relics, a genuine tunnel, and a river worth stopping for.
Take the short detour to Horseshoe Bend Bridge, an impressive pedestrian suspension bridge dating from 1913.
Look for the Lonely Graves near Horseshoe Bend. The simple memorial tells part of the region’s early history and is worth the short detour.
Ride through Beaumont Gorge, where the trail follows the river through a mix of old railway corridor, quiet roads and purpose-built cycleway.
Reach Big Hill Tunnel, the highest point on the trail. The 440-metre tunnel follows the old railway line, so bring a light for the ride through.
Pause in Lawrence, one of Otago’s early gold-mining towns, with cafés and places to stop before continuing south.
Pass through the old railway landscape between Waitahuna and Milton, including tunnels, a viaduct, rail cuttings and sections of the former railway corridor.
Finish beside Lake Waihola, where the trail crosses a 1.6 km lakeside boardwalk through wetlands before reaching the trail’s southern end.
Riding the distance
135 km breaks comfortably into three or four days. The final stretch to Waihola is the newer extension — worth allowing extra time for if you're going the whole way.
Stage 1: Roxburgh Dam to Millers Flat
≈35km, river start
The trail's opening stretch, riverside and unhurried, through the country where the gold dredge sits sunken in the shallows.
Stage 2: Millers Flat to Beaumont
≈28km, gorge & tunnel
Beaumont Gorge and the Big Hill Tunnel — the trail's most memorable stretch, torch required.
Stage 3: Beaumont to Lawrence
≈20km, country roads
Rolling farmland into Lawrence, historically the end of the original trail and still a good overnight stop.
Stage 4: Lawrence to Waihola
≈52km, the extension
The newer stretch, now linking the trail all the way through to the east coast. Longer and quieter than the earlier stages.
Bike-friendly, close to the start line
Roxburgh Dam is a short drive from Alexandra, not a walk from the gate like our other trails — so a proper transfer and a genuinely bike-friendly setup matter more here, not less.
Getting there
Transfer to the trailhead
We arrange the run out to Roxburgh Dam and can talk through shuttle options for a one-way ride into Lawrence or beyond.
Bike care
Wash, store, charge
A wash station, locked undercover storage, and power for e-bikes waiting when you’re back — the basics done properly.
Recovery
Spa, sauna, laundry
Everything you’d want after a long multi-day ride: hot water for the legs, a proper laundry, and a quiet place to sit still.
Your Clutha Gold Trail guide, sorted
From transfers to trailhead logistics, we handle the parts around the ride so you can focus on the 135 km in front of you.
