Cromwell to Queenstown trail on target for summer 2025 completion

Freezing winter work conditions have not stopped contractors from making progress on a new cycle trail through the Kawarau Gorge.

Six months since starting work, seven kilometres of the planned 27-kilometre route have been formed.

In a statement, the Southern Lakes Trails Trust, who is spearheading the project, says it is "well on target" for an opening date in summer 2025.

There are two contracting companies working at five different locations in the gorge and easily able to be seen from State Highway 6.

In addition, the New Zealand Transport Agency has started work on specialised sections of the trail around the Nevis Bluff, starting on the Gibbston Valley side.

An underpass beneath the state highway is planned, as are two suspension bridges to allow bikers to navigate the Kawarau River.

The trail will follow the river on the opposite side to the state highway, opening up until now largely inaccessible terrain and bridging a gap in the Central Otago trail network.

The trust says ecological and archaeological experts have also been onsite in the gorge, identifying features of interest and then taking steps to protect them, as well as specialist rock scalers in areas prone to rock fall.

"They have been scaling and removing rocks, to ensure that the area below is safe for our contractors and ultimately our future trail users," the statement says.

"Some of the landowners, who have given easement through their properties, have also started to contribute to the work with some physical enhancements of their land in preparation for the trail coming through their properties."

Southern Lakes Trails Trust chair Aaron Halstead says, “We know the riding public will be as enthusiastic as we are, however, we remind the public to stay out of hazardous work areas.” 

Main image (Southern Lakes Trails): Seven kilometres of trail has been formed by contractors working in the Kawarau Gorge between Cromwell and the Gibbston Valley.