The Lake Dunstan Trail finally has an official opening date, set for Saturday, 8 May 2021, with the first official riders to get a taste of the scenery and the trail. 

This long-anticipated event will commence with a ribbon-cutting in Clyde followed by community celebrations in Cromwell.

“The trail takes you through amazing scenery (which would otherwise be inaccessible), past some fascinating historic sites and onto wonderfully engineered structures,” says Stephen Jeffery, Chair of the Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust. 

“The route links to the Otago Central Rail Trail and forms part of the network of Great Rides in Central Otago and the Southern Lakes.”

Bring the family and come and join the ribbon cutting ceremony in Clyde followed by community celebrations in Cromwell from noon until 5pm.  

A few members of the public will get the opportunity to be the very first riders on the trail.

There are ten spots open in the official first bunch for local cyclists to ride the trail from Clyde Heritage Precinct to Cromwell Heritage Precinct (a distance of 42km) and we are accepting applications until 21 April, after which there will be a ballot to select the lucky riders.

First Ride Application Form - Applications close on Wednesday 21st April.

You might be one of the lucky ten who are chosen to be in the official 'first bunch' to ride the trail.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in the Clyde Heritage Precinct on Saturday 8th May, with more details to be announced.

Once the official first bunch sets off, anyone else is welcome to ride the Lake Dunstan trail from the Clyde end for a special “One Day, One Way”.

Festivities will then shift to Cromwell for the Grand Opening celebrations from 12 till 5 pm.

The Grand Opening Celebration will be held in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct which will be filled with live entertainment, delicious street food, and a selection of local Central Otago wines.

The Heritage Precinct is the perfect spot for supporters to enjoy the afternoon while waiting on the first cyclists to complete the trail.

“The Grand Opening will be held in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct which will be filled with live entertainment, delicious street food, and a selection of local wine,” says Gretchen Nightingale, Community Relationships Manager of the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group.

“It’ll be the perfect spot for supporters to enjoy the afternoon while waiting on their cyclists to complete the trail.”

For more information on the trail and the Grand Opening and to apply to be in the first bunch, go to lakedunstantrail.co.nz.

Photos Courtesy Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust.