Sections of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail are being hailed as the best they have ever been, following recent maintenance work.

The work recently completed was funded by the Roxburgh Gorge Trail Charitable Trust and Central Otago District Council after the track was one of many that missed out on its share of the $8 million Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) usually distributes to all of the 23 ‘great rides’.

Instead, that money was put towards repairing North Island trails damaged during Cyclone Grabrielle last year.

Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails manager Shayne O’Connor said it was a fair call by MBIE, and he was now working to apply for more funding before the latest round closes to ensure further upkeep can be maintained.

He said the money the trust was able to put towards the latest maintenance work came from people who had donated to the trust, or who had purchased trail maintenance tags.

Ken Churchill (right) greets cyclists on the scenic Roxburgh Gorge Trail. PHOTO: Supplied/Ken Churchill

All funds made from tag sales are used for trail maintenance and enhancement projects, which come in denominations of $10 for a day, $25 for a season as a single person, or $50 for a season if riding as a family.

Tags can be purchased from cycle tour operators or regional i-Sites.

With that support, sections of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail are now in great condition ahead of the upcoming season.

“That section of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail is the best it’s ever been, and it’s been open for 14 years, so that’s really great,” Shayne said.

Ken Churchill giving the track some attention. PHOTO: Supplied/Ken Churchill

Trail user Ken Churchill is among those who have praised the work done, giving a "big shout out and thanks" to those behind the maintenance work, particularly around the narrows and zigzag where there is an overhanging rock.

"The work is really just fantastic - there's a lot of work that's gone into it," he said.

It is a trail he frequents and has been known to assist with maintenance upkeep, particularly if an exposed rock could pose a health and safety risk.

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