Roxburgh Gorge Trail
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail starts just 300 metres from the gate at Mad Hacienda, taking you along the Clutha before the trail gives way to water. Ride to Doctors Point, put the bike aboard a jet boat, then continue on two wheels through the gorge towards Roxburgh Dam.
21 km
Total cycling distance
13 km
By jet boat through the gorge
Grade 2-3
Easy to moderate riding
Half day
Allow time for riding and the boat transfer
Two ways to ride it
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail follows the Clutha from Alexandra towards Roxburgh, with a jet boat carrying you through the one section where there's simply no trail. Short on time? Ride to Doctors Point and back — a full half day on its own. Want the whole gorge? Book the boat and keep going through to the dam.
Start close to Mad Hacienda's gate and follow the Clutha through open river country and into the gorge. At Doctors Point, the bikes go aboard. For the next 13 km, the river takes over — beneath towering schist cliffs, through a stretch that cannot be reached by bike. Then it's back onto the trail at Shingle Creek for the final ride towards Roxburgh Dam.
Things you won't get anywhere else.
The Roxburgh Gorge is different from a conventional cycle trail. For part of the journey, you are riding beside the Clutha.
The trail begins just 300 metres from Mad Hacienda’s gate. No bike rack on the car, no drive to a trailhead.
River views and rugged schist country as you leave Alexandra behind.
In late spring, the hillsides turn purple with wild thyme along the route.
13 km of gorge with no cycle trail; the only way through is by jet boat.
The remote gorge section, where the cliffs close in around the Clutha.
Old gold-mining remains and historic sites tucked into the landscape.
The changing colours of river, schist and the Central Otago hills.
A final stretch towards Roxburgh Dam, with the landscape opening up again.
And then, eventually, back to Alexandra where the spa is already looking like a very good idea.
Distance, timing, and key points
The ride breaks cleanly into sections. If you'd rather skip the boat, Alexandra to Doctors Point and back is a complete half day by itself. Going the whole way, the one thing to organise ahead of time is the boat transfer.
Part One – 21 km return
Alexandra to Doctors Point
The trail follows the Clutha from Alexandra towards Doctors Point, river beside you, schist landscape gradually closing in. This is also where the half-day option ends — turn around here and ride back for a full but unhurried day, no boat required.
Crossing – 13 km by boat
Doctors Point to Shingle Creek
This is the part you cannot ride. The trail disappears into the gorge, so you and your bike board a jet boat, carried through the most remote part of the route before dropping back onto the trail at Shingle Creek.
Part Two – by bike
Shingle Creek to Roxburgh Dam
Back on two wheels, the trail continues through the gorge towards Roxburgh Dam — completing the experience of moving between river and trail.
The boat needs booking ahead, there's no unscheduled crossing. Most riders base themselves in Alexandra or Clyde and treat this as a there and back day rather than a one-way trip.
Planning your Roxburgh Gorge trip?
Make the most of your time on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail with a comfortable base close to the track. Lock in your stay with us, book your jet boat transfer early, and enjoy a seamless ride from start to finish.
