The Lake Dunstan Trail was officially opened today with ceremonies in Clyde and Cromwell, and the first public riders took to their bikes to ride it.

The overcast and chilly day didn’t mute spirits as jovial riders took their first peddles on the trail, twisting and turning alongside Lake Dunstan from Clyde to Cromwell. Some brave souls ran the trail.

Trail work began in 2019 and is a feat of engineering best experienced on a bike. 

Linking trails from Clyde to Cromwell, the 59 kilometre trail passes New Zealand’s third largest hydroelectric dam - the Clyde Dam - then travels along the Cromwell Gorge towards picturesque Cornish Point and and links in the nearby renowned wine growing area of Bannockburn.   

Locals, families and visitors alike mingled to celebrate with riders at the finish line. 

Greg Wilkinson (pictured centre) rode the trail in style

The Central App reporter Mary Hinsen was on the ground and spoke to a number of locals. 

Lloyd Van der Krogt, who recently moved to Cromwell, joked he moved to town because he heard the trail was opening. 

“The ride was spectacular, what’s amazing is the engineering and the dry-stone walling, and obviously the cantilevered bridges, and they are all so neatly and so beautifully done. It’s incredible.

“There’s all the natural caves as well, and there’s something almost (Salvador) Dali-ish about some of the rock formations.”

A healthy crowd turned out in Old Cromwell to greet the trail's first riders through the finish line after the opening of the Lake Dunstan Trail. 

Asked if he could turn around and do it again, Lloyd says he definitely could, and plans on doing so. 

“Definitely, as I was walking up the steps I thought, ‘could I turn around and go back?’ and I think I could. I’ll have to do it both ways again one day. 

“I want to turn around and do it again,” one rider says. “Amazing trail, just an amazing ride, nothing else like it.

“Loved the places you could stop, and there’s interesting information to read.” 

The atmosphere was festive in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.

“Those of us lucky enough to live here in Central Otago have watched with excitement as the trail was being built alongside Lake Dunstan ever since the first sod was turned in May 2019,” Tourism Central Otago General Manager, Dylan Rushbrook says.

“We’ve seen swing bridges, bluff bridges, stone walling and clever track design elements come together into a trail that adds yet another exciting dimension to the trail options in Central Otago. 

“You have to be in awe of the skill and attention to detail of the track designers and builders as they worked to build this wonderful asset for us all,” Dylan says. 

“The Lake Dunstan trail links to our existing great ride trails of the Original Great Ride Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails. 

“With this interconnected network of trails we believe Central Otago provides the diversity and variety of options that many people are looking for, and best of all our trails connect people with our towns and communities along the way, so there are many places to stop, stay and refresh.”

Photos: Mary Hinsen.