The best one day ride in New Zealand!
Many of our visitors find using a cycle tour company the best way to plan their visit. You can see a range of options here.
However, if you just want to cycle for a day, or you prefer to do your own thing, this page gives you an outline of the stages of the trail and local services available along the way.
The trail is just as enjoyable ridden in either direction; shuttle operators often encourage a drop-off at Roxburgh Dam and return ride to Alexandra as this takes the pressure of riders to meet a final pick-up.
This ride is amazing at all times of the year. The autumn colours are beautiful and winter brings sparkly frosts which, for the hardy and well dressed, are stunning.
The stages of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail.
The Teviot Valley and Central Otago can be quiet in off peak times and some tourism businesses restrict their operating hours. Planning your stops and checking opening hours is recommended.
We ask that users purchase a trail pass.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALEXANDRA (TRAIL START/END)
Alexandra is a junction between three of the Otago trails including the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Central Otago Cycle Trail and the Lake Dunstan Trail. View our maps to see how the trails connect. It also provides mountain bikers with access to the bike trails at Flat Top Hill Conservation Area via the Sphinx Rock trail that starts 1 km before Doctor's Point jetty.
Local bike hire: Multiple. Click here to review some options.
Local bike transfers: Multiple. Click here to review some options.
Local food choices: Plentiful. Alexandra is a gateway town to the region and has a good range of dining options. There are two large format supermarkets and several convenience stores.
Local accommodation choices: Multiple including motels, peer-to-peer and a campground.
Public toilet: Yes
Arriving: By car or bus (Intercity)
Pharmacy and medical centres: There are several pharmacies, a medical centre and a small hospital.
Trail stage: Alexandra—Doctors Point
10km, Grade 2–3/easy–intermediate, 1–2 hours
The trail starts at the Clutha-Mata-au River near Alexandra’s Blue Bridge. Stranded in the river alongside it are the remaining piers of the original suspension bridge, built in 1882. Weathered relics of a bygone era, these monumental pillars are an apt gateway to the journey ahead.
The trail passes through a forest of silver poplars now covering Frenchman’s Point, formerly rich gold deposit workings. It then enters the narrow Roxburgh Gorge, flanked by bluffs up to 350 metres high. Suddenly, you’re in another world.
The wide, smooth trail passes Ketts Gully with its massive stacked rock walls, sporting several old rock bivvies and huts. The trail keeps meandering gently towards Butchers Creek, an old gold-mining site marked by the water races, fashioned from stone, used to channel water to the sluicings.
The trail continues winding through the gorge, climbing a zigzag to access The Narrows, an ancient rock slide where care is required to negotiate the narrower trail section and boardwalk. The contrast of blue water, grey schist, purple thyme, willows and poplars – green or gold depending on the season – is a feast for the eyes.
Take as much time as your timetable allows, because Doctors Point appears all too soon. This is the pick-up point for the 13km boat tour bridging the missing link.
The 45-minute boat tour down river is a highly memorable way to delve deeper into the gorge’s history. You’ll see the extensive sluicings at Doctors Point, the site of the 14 Mile electric powered dredge and its generator plant, and other hidden sights such as Mrs Heron’s mud-mortar cottage. Local jet boat drivers revel in retelling these riveting stories of the gold miners of yore.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOCTORS POINT
There are no facilities, apart from a jetty, at Doctors Point. No cell phone access.
Boat Transfer - 13 km
Two companies provide boat transfers Clutha River Jets and Beaumont Jet. There is no unscheduled transfers. Bookings are essential. The boat transfers feature a fascinating history lesson on the gorge and is a rare chance to see and hear about the many special sights hidden deep in the gorge.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SHINGLE CREEK
There are no facilities, apart from a jetty, at Shingle Creek. No cell phone access.
Boat Transfer - 13 km
Two companies provide boat transfers Clutha River Jets and Beaumont Jet. There is no unscheduled transfers. Bookings are essential.
Shingle Creek jetty—Roxburgh Dam
11km, Grade 2–3/easy–intermediate, 1.5–2.5 hours (not there is some steep hills).
Disembarking at Shingle Creek jetty, riders pass an old hut and some hotel ruins then commence a gentle climb up to Elbow Creek, a haven for native flora, each bend offering a different view of the river below.
The river slows and widens as it forms Lake Roxburgh, the waters of which drive the power station ahead. With pretty islets in the lake and broad views of the surroundings, this is a lovely but quite different stretch of trail.
A series of switchbacks lead to a fitting finale, the impressive Roxburgh Hydro Dam lookout. Opened in 1956, it’s the largest concrete gravity dam in New Zealand and reportedly powers up to 200,000 homes.
The trail ends at Commissioner’s Flat car park, starting point of the Clutha Gold Trail that can be followed for an additional 9km or so to reach Roxburgh township.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ROXBURGH DAM TOWNSHIP (TRAIL START/END)
Local bike hire: Nil.
Local bike transfers: Nil.
Local food choices: Limited. Lake Roxburgh Lodge opened to the public during the season Monday to Saturday. Bookings are essential. No shops or convenience stores. Ring ahead for opening hours.
Local accommodation choices: Lake Roxburgh Lodge.
Public toilet: Yes
Arriving: By car.
Thanks to Nga Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand for some of the trail descriptions in this guide. Visit their site to compare trails across New Zealand. To suggest a correction or update the information on this page email [email protected]. Last updated March 2025.
