The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail is a cycle trail set in the remote wilderness of southern New Zealand. 186 km in length, it can be ridden in either direction, starting at Kingston or Walter Peak and taking three to five days at a relaxed pace to complete. The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail is recognised as one of New Zealand's 22 Great Rides. The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail offers alpine vista views, a glimpse at the pristine waters of the

Mavora Lakes Mavora Lakes is a protected area in the South Island of New Zealand consisting of two lakes: North Mavora and South Mavora. The lakes are drained by the Mararoa River. The area is managed by the Department of Conservation An environmental m ...

(an awe-inspiring location featured in

The Lord of the Rings ''The Lord of the Rings'' is an epic high-fantasy novel by English author and scholar J. R. R. Tolkien. Set in Middle-earth, intended to be Earth at some time in the distant past, the story began as a sequel to Tolkien's 1937 children's boo ...

Trilogy), as well as being able to cycle alongside the

Ōreti River The Ōreti River (formerly the Oreti River) is one of the main rivers of Southland, New Zealand, and is long. The river has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because, for much of its length, it supports bree ...

and

Mataura River The Mataura River is in the Southland Region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is long. Description The river's headwaters are located in the Eyre Mountains to the south of Lake Wakatipu. From there it flows southeast towards Gore, New ...

, through native tussock lands and authentic high country farms. The trail can also include a ride on the century-old coal-fired steamship, the TSS ''Earnslaw''.

Route

Many cyclists start the trail at Walter Peak Station on the shore of

Lake Wakatipu Lake Wakatipu ( mi, Whakatipu Waimāori) is an inland lake (finger lake) in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of the Otago region, near its boundary with Southland. ''Lake Wakatipu'' comes from the original Māori nam ...

, after a boat trip on the TSS ''Earnslaw''. The trail then follows Mount Nicholas Road, Mavora Lakes Road and Centre Hill Road. At Centre Hill the purpose built cycle trail starts and follows the south bank of the Ōreti River through to Mossburn. From Mossburn the trail continues to Lumsden, and then from Lumsden the trail passes through the small townships of Five Rivers, Athol, Garston and finishes back at the lakeside of Lake Wakatipu in Kingston.

Grade

The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail is classed as a Grade 2-3 ride (New Zealand Cycle Trail Design guide classifications) with conditions suitable for novices and families, with the exception of the 2.5 km-long Von Hill climb which can be walked if it proves too challenging. The constructed sections of the trail amount to approximately 90 km of predominantly Grade 2 track. Additionally sections of the trail utilise existing roads and considered as Grade 3 sections.

Funding and construction

The Around the Mountains Cycle Trail has been funded as one of the projects of the

New Zealand Cycle Trail The New Zealand Cycle Trail project (Māori: ''Nga Haerenga'', "The Journeys") is a New Zealand government initiative, co-funded together with local councils and charitable trusts, which is to build and operate a network of cycle routes throug ...

. The announcement of government funding for Quick Start Trails in 2009 by then Prime Minister John Key was the catalyst for making the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail a reality. Southland District Council successfully secured the financial backing needed to create a trail through some of the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand. Work on stage one from Kingston to Mossburn started in June 2013 and included the construction of purpose-built cycle bridges crossing the Mataura River and Eyre Creek. It was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English at a ceremony in Lumsden on 1 November 2014. Further funding was approved in 2014 to enable SDC to embark on stage two from Mossburn to Walter Peak. Stage two of the cycle trail was completed in 2017, using existing low volume roads from the end point of Centre Hill through to the termination at Walter Peak Station on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Funding was approved in April 2019 from the

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE; mi, Hīkina Whakatutuki) is the public service department of New Zealand charged with "delivering policy, services, advice and regulation" which contribute to New Zealand's economic p ...

(MBIE) to install 28 interpretation panels capturing the unique history of the local areas, along with bike stands and water tanks to enhance the shelters. Installation was completed in December 2019. Flooding occurred in February 2020 and an application to MBIE was approved allowing repairs to the Cycle Trail as well as improvements to sections of the trail, ensuring the quality of the trail meets the Grade two standard. Works started in August 2020.

Management

Southland District Council employs a dedicated Trail Manager and there is an official partnership programme with local businesses.

References

External links

Around the Mountains Trail
(project webpage at the

official website)
Official Around the Mountains Cycle Trail website
*Old Knees Guide to the Cycle Trail
Kingston to GarstonGarston to AtholAthol to Five RiversFive Rivers to Lumsden
{{coord, 45, 20, S, 168, 43, E, display=title New Zealand Cycle Trail Tourist attractions in Southland, New Zealand Sport in Southland, New Zealand