A commercial ski field which gets a lot of sun and has some interesting terrain.
A very easy singletrack between Alexandra and Clyde. It is suitable for all riders and is best split with a coffee break in either town.
The track starts south of Alexandra town center, at the other side of the main bridge. The track goes west, upstream, initially next to gardens then into trees. The track is very well made and reasonably wide. Wherever there are streams to cross, bridges have been built. The track ends at the bridge into Clyde.
To return to Alexandra you could head into Clyde and take the Otago Rail Trail back, but its probably more fun to return the same way.
A really great series of trails!! A mix of 4wd and single track crisscross the hill on hard rocky terrain. The scenery being great is just a bonus.
Flat Top Hill conservation area is about 5km south of Alexandra on highway 8. The turning to the car park is next to Butchers lake and marked by a DOC sign. From the car park follow the well made path round the lake, passing information signs, Butchers Dam, and a couple of buildings surrounded by trees. Just after the trees as you approach the lake again there is a grassy track, marked by orange poles, heading straight up the hill. Follow this to a slightly more main 4wd track where you turn left and carry on steeply to the top of the hill.
From the top the view into Roxburgh gorge is magnificent. We turned left to go along the ridge, firstly on a 4wd track, but then onto smaller singletrack. Its about 3km of excellent fun track before it drops into Butchers creek. At which point it becomes a 4wd track again and traverses back to the dam.
This singletrack can be quite challenging but is also pretty fast. A mix of rocks, hard earth and sand keep you on your toes.
This track takes an old gold miners pack track in to the Roxburgh Gorge as far as Butchers Point. Gold was discovered in 1865 so there are countless ruins of old huts, lodges, pubs and machinery along the gorge.
Starting from Alexandra you cross the Manuherikia river via the Shaky Bridge and follow Graveyard Gully road to the graveyard and its end. From here an excellent single track ascends and traverses the hillside towards the gorge. It can be a little overgrown in places.
The track starts off quite flowing and well defined before crossing a small gully, where after it becomes more rocky and sandy. The track is great fun and gets steadily more technical as you go. The nearer to Butchers point you get the more ruins and huts appear along the way. Most people turn back at Butchers point as the track becomes less easy to ride beyond. But if you’re determined enough, it is possible to ride as far as Doctors point.
Although this track isn’t the most interesting the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!! The 3 huts make it easy to turn into a multi-day trip.
To get to the start either drive north from Mossburn along a long series of gravel roads, or take a ferry from Queenstown and cycle down the Von valley on gravel roads. Our route starts from the parking at the end of the campsite by the shore of North Mavora Lake.
Initially the 4wd track goes through the forest, but quickly ends up on the sandy beach. Riding the next kilometer or so is not really possible because of the sand. After this the track moves slightly away from the shore and becomes a very well defined 4wd track. It can be quite muddy in places with very large puddles. Especially after rain!! After about 10kms you reach Careys hut. We spent the night here, and got the hut all to ourselves. It’s a nice hut, although the water tank is removed in winter, and there are more than a few mice.
From the hut the track climbs round a small hill and traverses the hillside to give you great views down the Mararoa and Windon valleys. Stay on the main track, avoiding the steep descent off left, and continue on rutted but fast track to Boundary hut. After a look around, head back the way you came. About 3.5km back, just before the climb up there is a grassy track off right which leads across a couple of fords and up the Windon valley to Forks hut. The fords can be quite deep and fast flowing, and the track can retain a lot of water and mud. Once at Forks hut, return the way you came back to the start.
A short walk through the cloud up to Earland falls on the route burn track.
A spooky night in the empty Homer Hut
Two straightforward, fast tracks form this great 30km loop.
From Albert Town cross the Clutha River and take the gravel road on the right, opposite the campsite. Follow this down though some scrubby ground to a footbridge across the Hawea River. Just after this bridge the Newcastle track breaks off right on a well made singletrack. From here the way is obvious as you head back to, then along the Clutha. The views are great with the mighty Clutha river in the foreground and mountains in the background. The track can be a little loose in places, and there are a few ups and downs. After wet weather there are a couple of parts that are susceptible to slides, but generally it is fine.
Once the road is reached turn right and go downhill to cross the river. Take the next right, go up the hill and the Upper Clutha track goes off from the next junction. At this point you can turn left to head to Luggate or right to head back to Albert Town. The Upper Clutha Track is very well made track with only a couple of short steep downhill sections. All to soon you reach a bridge over the Cardrona River and Albert Town just beyond.
A small family run ski field with a good selection of runs and some snow making equipment.
A short ride along the double fence line to Mt Fitzgerald at dusk