Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

Mackenzie/North Otago

This 312km trail begins in the Southern Alps at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, descends 780m through the Mackenzie basin, and down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and the Pacific Ocean. The trail includes multiple access points to begin or end a ride or to ride local sections only.

Explore Map View

Status: In progress

90% Completed

Grade

Easy

Duration

6 Days

Total Length

312km

Riders on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail will experience a wonderful ride with outstanding landscapes, from snow-capped peaks and beautiful lakes to the dry inland landscape and green pastures characteristic of North Otago.Phil Brownie, Destination Mt Cook

6 July 2010

Funding Approved for Eight More Cycle Trails

Funding has been confirmed ahead of schedule for the construction of eight new cycle trails under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) project.

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is distinctive as it showcases a unique selection of New Zealand’s iconic geological, geographic and historic highlights.The full Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail from Aoraki Mount Cook to the coast at Oamaru is expected to be officially opened in November 2012.

The trail has eight logical stages. It is recommended that cyclists ride “downhill’ from Mount Cook to Oamaru with the prevailing north-westerly wind behind them. The route is generally well serviced by established accommodation, food outlets and amenities and can easily cater to both multi and single day cyclists.

Highlights include Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Ben Ohau and Ohau mountain ranges, Lakes Pukaki, Ruataniwha, Ohau, Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki, the Pukaki, Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki hydro dams, the Elephant Rocks and Vanished World limestone wonderland, and the historic Tokarahi Branch rail line containing the limestone block lined Rakis and Tapui tunnels. The trail also passes Maori Rock Art, traverses elements of the Te Araroa Trail, Mahinga Kai (food gathering) sites and parts of the greenstone trail to the West Coast along the shores of Lake Ohau.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Sections

1	AorakiMount Cook National Park– Braemar Station:	37 km	Grade 2 - flat & slightly downhill
2	Braemar Station to Twizel:	45 km	Grade 2 - flat & slightly downhill
3	Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge:	39 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections
4	Lake Ohau Lodge to Omarama:	42 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections
5	Omarama to Otematata:	24 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections
6	Otematata to Kurow:	43 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections
7	Kurow to Duntroon:	27 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections
8	Duntroon – Oamaru:	53 km	Grade 2 - undulating except for short steep sections

Sections Open

A small 2.3km section of trail is now open and runs along State Highway 8 past Twizel, offering views of Southern Alps. This is the first step in the local leg of the trail that will eventually run from Mt Cook, through Twizel down to Oamaru. It links two existing tracks, the Te Araroa tramping trail and the Twizel River Trail.
By Christmas 2011, cyclists will also be able to ride out of Twizel from Glen Lyon road up over the Pukaki/Ohau Canal then up to State Highway 80 to join the trail to the South Eastern corner of Lake Pukaki. From there, they’ll be able to double back to info centre at Pukaki and follow the trail from there to the East of Pukaki airport then back to Twizel. This section of trail will cross quiet country roads, canal roads and the completed sections of cycle trail in a loop from Twizel.
By mid January 2012 cyclists should also be able to ride from Mount Cook to Twizel then on to South Eastern corner of Ohau (Ohau Weir). At this stage this will include a short 90 second helicopter ride at a reasonable charge.
Construction work is also now beginning on the Duntroon to Elephant Rocks section in the Waitaki Valley and we are nearing the end of the approval phase for the sections from Ohau Weir to Lake Ohau Lodge and from the Lodge through Quailburn and Tarnbrae via Quailburn road and into Omarama.

Best time to ride

Late spring to view the alpine flowers including the indigenous Mount Cook Lily (Ranunculus lyallii) and the famous Mackenzie Basin lupins. Summer brings out the majestic colours of the Mackenzie and Waitaki valleys and during summer swimming can be enjoyed in lakes and rivers. Early autumn sees the change of season colours and the ranges get a dusting of snow sometimes, which adds to the beauty.

Getting there

The main start point is Aoraki Mount Cook and the finish point is Oamaru but there are multiple access points along the route. For location based cyclists, or trail riders looking for side trips along the way, the trail is also ideally placed to combine with existing trails in the region.