This is a popular Queenstown adventure cycling tour has so many options to explore on the route from Arrowtown to Queenstown, passing over river gorges and bridges, with alpine views and cafe stops along the way.
Head out on a scenic 25-minute shuttle to Arrowtown. You’ll be fitted with a bike, given a map and some trail tips before you set off on this self-guided ride. There’s the option to explore Arrowtown and grab a coffee to help fuel your day.
The route starts by following the Arrow River Trail downstream to the Morven Ferry, crossing over the river by a few spectacular bridges. From there, you’ll join the Twin Rivers Trail, which follows the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers to the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Expect to see grand views of The Remarkables mountain range throughout this section.
The last stage of your journey is a gentle, flowing trail along the lake’s edge, passing a few cafes and even a brewery, before the finish line back at the shop in central Queenstown.
This ride is on wide, gravel trails, graded 1 or 2. The minimum riding distance is 35 km, with a few decent hills. It is recommended for those who are confident and capable riders. Upgrading to an e-bike is a game changer and makes this ride so much more fun!
If you’re feeling fit, there are options to extend this ride – the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, the Tucker’s Beach Trail, or the Kelvin Peninsula – which can make for a fantastic day. However, biking from Arrowtown to Queenstown alone can take some groups over 4 hours to complete. It is the rider’s responsibility to manage their time effectively and make it back to Queenstown before the shop closes at 5pm (winter) or 5:30pm (summer).
The itinerary is available year-round; however, the times do vary.
Summer Itinerary: 1 September – 30 April
8:50am OR 9:50am: Shuttle to Arrowtown
9:10am or 10:10am: Safety Briefing & Set off
5:15pm: Latest arrival back into Queenstown
Winter Itinerary: 1 May – 31 August
9:50am – Shuttle to Arrowtown
10:100am: Safety Briefing & Set off
4:45pm: Latest arrival back into Queenstown
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Comfortable, athletic clothing
A lightweight jacket
Water bottle (the bikes have bottle cages)
Sunglasses
A small backpack per group (you decide who will be the pack-mule!)
Helmets and some sunscreen are provided.
In winter, a good jacket and warm pair of gloves are recommended.
Electric bikes enable you to ride further, faster, and with less effort than a regular mountain bike.
These pedal-assisted bikes help you along with 3 different power settings, taking the sting out of the hilly sections of the trail.
You'll get a full explanation about how to operate these Electric-bikes efficiently to get the most out of your ride.
The Operator has produced an excellent map of the trail to help you get the most out of your ride. On the day, the team will give a detailed explanation of the trail, with a few local insights and point out some hidden gems.
The trail is also signposted very well, with colour-coded arrows and distance markers along the trail.
The Operator will generally make a weather call on the day, as often it turns out not as bad as the forecast suggests.
If you are uncertain in the morning, give them a call first thing, and you can discuss options. They will first try to reschedule to another time or another day, but if that isn’t possible, they would refund your ride (less a 5% merchant fee).
This tour is for the adventurer. There is 3-4 hours ride time, 35km+ of scenic, hilly terrain.