Kurow to Duntroon
SECTION 7 – KUROW TO DUNTROON
Distance: 28km
Technical Difficulty: Grade 2
Fitness Required: Easy
Trail Overview: It’s all off road between Kurow and Duntroon so enjoy the cycle as it follows the Waitaki river and through the Duntroon wetlands.
In section 7 of the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail, the landscape becomes flat as you leave the mountains and lakes to follow the braided river valley and fertile farmland. Farms change from sheep and cattle to fruit and dairy, consequently, the cycle trail cannot divert to far from public roads onto these farms, as they are busy, productive areas with many hazards. The cycle trail starts at the eastern end of Kurow between the museum sheds. The purpose-built gravel trail takes you across to the Waitaki River which you follow down the valley. Cross the Kurow Creek then ride on the trail alongside the highway.
Pass through the Kurow Winery (Pasquale’s) which is a great place to stop for wine tasting or a coffee, then ride back towards the Waitaki River and follow the Waitaki Haul Road, crossing both the Otiake and Otekaieke Rivers.
The trail then follows the highway where we advise a short detour to enjoy the Takiroa Maori rock art site, across the road from the cycle trail. Continue on the trail back down to the Waitaki River and through to Harris St. Halfway up Harris St, turn right and ride through the Duntroon Wetlands before emerging in the centre of Duntroon where you’ll find public toilets but nowhere to buy food or drinks.
The trail between Kurow and Duntroon crosses 3 rivers (Kurow Creek, Otiake River and Otekaieke River). These rivers are usually dry and only carry significant water during a flood. If the rivers are in flood, there are flood routes up to the highway at each river crossing, but, these are not well maintained so, for safety, we recommend you ride on the road from Kurow to Duntroon. The flood routes may involve walking your bike or crossing fences using stiles (lifting your bike). Alternatively retrace your steps until you can access the highway.
Sections of the Waitaki Haul road are shared with vehicles so please ride with care. The Waitaki River is powerful suitable for swimming.
Customer Reviews
The whole trip was fantastic and I especially enjoyed the mountain bike tracks around the edges of the lakes. Thanks Sara and Vernon, We had the best time and we were very lucky to spend time in such a spectacular environment.
Your guides were excellent, couldn’t have asked for anything better. Loved everything about the trip. Wonderful value for money. My thanks to you all.
How would I rate the cycle tour? It exceeded expectations. We were very well supported with excellent guides who were Very attentive and co-operative. Accommodation exceeded expectations.
The bikes, the scenery and the accommodation and food exceeded my expectations. I have done very little mountain bike riding and was even a little apprehensive about it. As it turned out, I loved the bikes and my confidence on them soared. I could have taken my bike home with me!
Awesome scenery, wonderful service, and helibiking was "fabulous" to quote daughter Odette!
We thought the whole operation was marvelous. (The guide) was incredible, and everything was so well organised. Great variety each day in the cycling and different places we stayed each night added variety.
Big thanks to you for a great trip and especially to the guide who with his sound knowledge and advice I was able to cycle a good chunk of the track despite not being able to walk! Thanks so much we really had a great time. Everything was good, keep doing what you are already doing well :)
This trip surpassed expectations by quite a margin.
(The guide) went the extra mile and encouraged me without being patronising.His knowledge and love of the area was tops and we missed him when the trip was over and we had to look at places without his explanations. He was the perfect guide.
You guys are awesome. Thanks again for a wonderful experience...we appreciate all of the things you guys did to make this pretty special.
The cycle tour was better than my expectations. Honestly I can't think of anything you could do better.
I was concerned about the price at first... now I would rate it as absolute value for money… it was much better value than we possibly imagined.
Every meal we had, without exception was excellent... the best breakfasts, the lunches were always in the most perfect spots, dinners ... well YUM! Great variety, tasty fresh ingredients ... nice.
Totally amazed by the food. Can't give a top choice as each night was special and different. Breakfasts, lunches and snacks all superb. I ate far too much.
NON-RIDER. I didn’t actually ride, I was worried about the comfort of the bus but it was great. Excellent food and most of it was New Zealand made which was great. Loved the exclusive accommodations. Very nice. (The guides were) very informative and were very knowledgeable. I felt very safe being driven around by them. Bus very comfortable and plenty of room.
The accommodation and food was excellent, much better than anticipated in comparison with previous rides.
Enjoyed every day and thought the guides and accommodation were very good. The tour was better than I thought. Food was very good and I thought the tour was well balanced but particularly enjoyed unique accommodations where food was provided on site.
Every dietary need was offered...absolutely wonderful food.
Lunches were perfect - sandwiches, make your own and plenty of choices. Healthy - good balance. Breakfast was excellent - the cooked breakfasts were a great 'base' for a day's biking. Evening meals were good to amazing.
The best recommendation I can give about the bikes is that I have purchased a new bike the same as those used on the trip. Unfortunately it hasn't come with the excellent van and trailer we became used to on the trail - we were spoilt rotten with such good quality, well maintained equipment.
The evening meals were fantastic. The guide was very accommodating, knowledgable about the area and their enthusiasm was inspiring. This was our first cycle tour, we had so much fun & the scenery was spectacular! Thanks to the guide for accommodating our little side trips … and gliding. It was an AWESOME cycle trail.
Accommodation exceeded my expectations, especially the last night which just blew my mind.
I loved that everyone had the option of following their choices to ride through their challenges, or not, without judgement or pressure.
All accommodation was very good. All food was excellent. The guide's home cooked meals/breakfasts were great. Meals out delicious. Also liked the fact that when we ate out we could have what we liked without restrictions. We suggested it could be marketed as a gourmet tour!
...riding in the middle of nowhere was a beautiful experience ... Thank you for making our honeymoon a truly amazing experience. We loved every day of it and did not want it to end. We will be back!
A really enjoyable morning MTB ride with a very professional outfit.
I didn't expect so many extras to be included plus the freedom to order any meal off the menu at the evening cafe's. The food was exceptional. All the accommodation was first class, and the different types added to the experience. Each day was an adventure and I cannot think of any aspect that I could possibly recommend a change.
Fresh healthy and hearty meals. plenty of choices.
Professional ,informative & well organised tour still adding a personal touch making the trip a memorable one. Ability to adapt to any situation maintaining group dynamics and moral. Well done an outstanding team!
Thank you so much for the wonderful trip we have had and the photo – was just the ”icing on the cake!”
Change nothing…you don't need to do more!
I was totally inexperienced but thoroughly enjoyed tho whole day...Our guide exuded passion for the region and was full of information regarding flora and fauna and history... giving me helpful tips enabling me to complete the ride with growing confidence!!!
I could not fault (the guide's) commitment, energy, knowledge, good humor and patience and evenhandedness and attention to each individual. I would imagine that we all felt absolutely attended to, as I did.
All meals were excellent Always looked forward to eating! It was great to stay in a range of different accommodation. a job well done finding the variety of places. nice to have some meals at the accommodation as well and not have too go out.
Nothing was a problem. The welfare, safety, experience and comfort of the group was paramount. We were so well looked after. Thank you!
Thoroughly enjoyable day out, May 2014. Really nice riding...it was quite cool in May with dusting of snow on neighbouring hills - which made for gorgeous photos.
Both Vernon and Sara are very professional, nothing was too much trouble.
Food was fantastic and better than we expected. Thoroughly enjoyed the variety of accommodation.
I was very worried about how I was going to survive the 300km ride on a different bike seat without destroying some of my anatomy, however the bikes were totally appropriate for the trail we were doing & the guide reassured us, adjusted & tweaked until all of us were comfortable in the saddle.
Great scenery. great company. great organisation.
Excellent food; excellent variety; all needs cared for including snacks en route.
I've been on lots of guided tours all around the world incl TDF, Vietnam, Greece, Turkey, UK and you have surpassed everything I have experienced in the past.
I did a few gulps at the price - shortly into the trip it was obvious that we were Definitely receiving Value For money. Worth every cent.
We came to this tour from word of mouth and we've been to Central Otago many times before so we knew how great the environment and scenery would be, but the efforts made with accommodation and meals was much more than we expected. I loved the cycle tour and we're determined to come back and try out your new tours.
Thank you again for a truly memorable experience... you provided the greatest and most enjoyable service we have experienced in a very long time.
I thought it was a good mix of wine tours, cycling, resting, exploring, hot tubs, shopping, food, information, walks and talks. Don't change a single thing.
Fantastic attention to detail. Different experience/adventure every day. I have dietary restrictions which are a pain in the neck. This was handled brilliantly and without fuss. Very authentic Kiwi experience.
My favourite parts of the trip? Impossible to answer, so many wonderful aspects to the experience. Wineries were enjoyable, distances each day were manageable, bikes were excellent, food and accommodation were exceptional.
All accommodation was very good and some outstanding.
I loved your selection of interesting and sometimes spectacular accommodation and eating locations. You adapted according to changing weather and cyclist abilities with quiet grace and thought for the group.
We managed to bike almost 200kms and still come home a bit heavier! So nice to have healthy fresh food, good coffee and a different dinner experience each night. Food was fantastic!
The guide's explanations and information added to the enjoyment of the ride. It was great when we had a guide to support the slower cyclist so that the rest could go at their own pace.
I was blown away by the scenery and organisation of your trip. All I can say is thank you and congratulations!
Contact Us
C/O Not A Rail Trail PO Box 2716,
Wakatipu
Queenstown, 9349.
New Zealand
New Zealand: 0800 4 CYCLE (429 253)Australia: 1 800 445 709
World: +64 (0) 3 428 2912


