4 Day Itinerary Middlemarch to Clyde

Our Recommendation: Day 1/Night 1 ( start Middlemarch finish Hyde )

From Middlemarch it’s a gentle 27km climb through the Strath Taieri Valley to Hyde. You will find Hyde Coffee Caravan & Store located in the main street, which is your only chance to refill your body if you choose to cycle another 25km Waipiata. Check the coffee Caravan is open if not take extra supplies for the days journey.  

If you choose to only cycle that 28km to Hyde for your first days ride you have three choices for accommodation town. You can sleep in the Hyde or transfer to Waipiata or Macraes Flat. Some accommodation providers transport solutions for guests staying in their accommodation. 

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

Our Recommendation: Day 2/Night 2 ( start Hyde finish Waipiata or Ranfurly )

We recommend Day 2 starts in Hyde unless of course you made it to Kokonga or Waipiata. An easy ride through the scenic Upper Taieri Gorge and around the shores of the long gone Taieri Lake, you’ll soon be back at your accommodation in Waipiata (25km) or Ranfurly(33km). Another off-trail option for Night 2 is Naseby. There is a on demand shuttle service to collect you from the Rail Trail at Wedderburn and deliver you back in the morning( Naseby Transfers : 03 444 9884 / 027 464 6337 ). There is also a car rental option from Wedderburn which gives you added flexibility. ( Trail Rentals : 03 444 9504 / 021 0222 3314 ) When staying the night in Naseby you can enjoy curling at the year round international indoor rink.

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

Our Recommendation: Day 3/Night 3 ( start Waipiata or Ranfurly finish Lauder or Omakau/Ophir )

Day 3 can be a long one, not just for kilometres in the saddle, but also for stopping to explore or just to marvel at the jaw-dropping scenery.

If you spent Night 2 in Waipitata or Ranfurly (or even Naseby) we recommend an early start to cycle across the Maniototo Plains to Wedderburn (21km from Waipiata, 13km from Ranfurly) in time for lunch and a rest break before setting off for Night 3’s accommodation in Lauder (35km from Wedderburn) or Omakau/Ophir (42km from Wedderburn). 

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

Our Recommendation: Day 4 ( start Lauder or Omakau/Ophir finish Clyde )

Your final day on the Otago Central Rail Trail. Whether you set out from Lauder or Omakau/Ophir, it’s a relatively easy pedal to Clyde that takes in the fun of freewheeling down Tiger Hill between Omakau/Ophir and Chatto Creek. Day 4 can also become Night 4 on the Rail Trail should you plan to stay in Alexandra or Clyde, both towns offer a wide range of accommodation choices and plenty to see and do.

With Alexandra or Clyde so close to Queenstown what better way to complete your Otago Central Rail Trail experience than to at least get a taste of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination. Year round Intercity departs Clyde for Queenstown. ( Intercity Bus Timetable ) 

If you wish to bus back to Dunedin, timetables will have a big influence in your overnighting decisions… Intercity departs the Clyde Trail Head daily for Dunedin.

The distance between towns ( Middlemarch to Clyde )

  • Middlemarch to Hyde: 27km
  • Hyde to Kokonga: 14.5km
  • Kokonga to Waipiata: 10.5km
  • Waipiata to Ranfurly: 8 km
  • Ranfurly to Wedderburn: 13km
  • Wedderburn to Oturehua: 12km
  • Oturehua to Lauder: 23km
  • Lauder to Omakau: 7km
  • Omakau to Chatto Creek: 12km
  • Chatto Creek to Alexandra: 17km
  • Alexandra to Clyde: 8km

 Self Planning Guide

Introduction to Self PlanningClyde to Middlemarch3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryMiddlemarch to Clyde3 Day Itinerary4 Day Itinerary5 Day ItineraryFAQsWeather & WindSeasons on the Trail
Trail Map
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The Rail Trail Guide Book

The single most important resource when travelling the Central Otago Rail Trail

A beautifully crafted book with amazing photography by Peter Andrews showing Central Otago as it truly is, one of the most rugged, extreme and beautiful locations on the planet. Stunning scenery, amazing and important historical and current information, detailed maps, lists of accommodation, frequently asked questions, where to eat, how far between towns, etc. It’s all in here.

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