Dunedin is a biker’s playground. A compact layout and a flat run for commuting in the city, great mountain biking tracks and views from the peaks as well as historical rides along the Otago Central Rail Trail makes the city a must-visit for cyclists of all kinds.
Te Aka Ōtākou
Te Aka Ōtākou, Ōtepoti Dunedin’s shared pathway which lines the scenic Otago Harbour is the perfect excuse to get out and about, enjoy some scenery and explore the wider Dunedin area.
About 30(-ish) kilometres in length, the trail has been bestowed the official name of Te Aka Ōtākou (The Otago Vine), fitting, as the trail clings to the shores of one of the most picturesque locations in the country.
Mountain Biking
Dunedin is a mountain biker’s playground and single-track trails can be found in every direction. Year-round the city is perfect for mountain biking, with hillside tracks to suit all abilities, winding through beautiful native and exotic forests. MTB Otago have excellent information on all of Dunedin’s mountain-biking tracks.
Road Cycling
Dunedin is a fantastic city for cycling. A compact layout and a flat run all the way from the top of North East Valley through to South Dunedin and St Clair beach, or around the Harbour, make Dunedin easy to get around by bike.
The hills and bays around the city and on the Otago Peninsula provide ample opportunity for riding, at all levels of difficulty, set against a stunning backdrop of hill, harbour, and coastal scenery.
Our network of dedicated cycle lanes, shared pedestrian and cycling paths, and some of the popular cycling routes into and out of the city are described here to help you get around safely and enjoyably.
Otago Central Rail Trail
The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150-kilometre walking, cycling and horse-riding track in the South Island of New Zealand.
The trail runs in an arc between Middlemarch and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway.
This is a very popular trail, and accommodation should be booked well in advance, ask the isite Visitor Centre to help you.