Bike Lake Dunstan Trail from Wanaka: 42km self-guided ride

Ride 42km of purpose-built trail and get shuttled back to Wanaka by 3pm

Bike the Lake Dunstan Trail, a one-day Official NZ Great Ride from Wanaka: a 42km self-guided route on compact gravel from Cromwell to Clyde, with luxury shuttle both ways, bike hire, helmet and a Guest Experience Manager on hand. You choose between a regular bike or an e-bike to handle the two 150m climbs. The trail opens in May 2021 and includes the 84m Hugo suspension bridge and 450m of clip-ons carved into the mountainside.

The experience

You start the morning with a luxury shuttle from Wanaka to Cromwell, where a Guest Experience Manager meets you with a route briefing, a safety rundown and a bike fitted to your height. The Lake Dunstan Trail itself is a Grade 1–3 route on compact gravel, built as a feat of engineering and opened in 2021. The ride takes roughly 2.5 hours of actual pedaling, which leaves time to stop at Carrick Winery along the way for food and a drink before you reach Clyde.

The two standout moments are the 84m Hugo suspension bridge and the 450m of clip-ons (a narrow carved path bolted to the mountainside) both engineered into the trail itself. The two 150m climbs are where the e-bike option earns its place: the motor handles the steep sections with almost no effort, so you can pace yourself and still finish strong. A regular bike works the full route if you have moderate fitness and want the full pedal experience. Either way, you carry a repair kit, pump and lock, and a rear trunk bag stays in the van so you ride without a rucksack.

Once you reach Clyde, you have time for a celebratory drink before the shuttle returns you to Wanaka by 3pm. A direct phone number to your Guest Experience Manager means any questions or changes during the day get sorted on the spot.

What’s included

• Luxury return shuttle from Wanaka to Cromwell and Clyde.
• bike hire (Sinch Jaunt 2.0 e-bike or Specialized/Trek regular bike).
• specialized Camber helmet with Mips impact protection.
• rear 8L trunk bag so you leave your rucksack in the van.
• repair kit, pump and lock.
• Guest Experience Manager who briefs you, sets up your bike and stays in attendance throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shuttle return with a regular bike08:30Bike type: nzbiketrails provides Specialized and Trek regular bikes. For this trail, e-bikes are the recommended choice, and they are offered under the other option.

Shuttle return with an e-bike08:30Bike type: nzbiketrails rents Sinch e-bikes, a New Zealand brand of e-bikes that has won awards.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 26

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by nzbiketrails

Is this one for you?The e-bike option suits riders who want to finish strong without exhausting themselves on the two climbs, while a regular bike works if you have moderate fitness and prefer pedaling the whole route. Either way, the 2.5 hours of actual riding leaves time to stop at Carrick Winery, so you're not racing the clock.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Lake Dunstan Trail like to ride?

The Lake Dunstan Trail is a 42km self-guided route on compact gravel from Cromwell to Clyde, graded 1–3 and built as a purpose-made track opened in 2021. The actual riding takes about 2.5 hours, with two 150m climbs, an 84m suspension bridge and 450m of clip-ons carved into the mountainside as the main features. The surface is good throughout, and you have time to stop at Carrick Winery along the way.

Do I need to be an experienced rider to do this trail?

The Lake Dunstan Trail is graded 1–3 and designed for self-guided riding, so you need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The e-bike option makes the two climbs much easier if you want to conserve energy, while a regular bike works the full route if you prefer to pedal throughout. A safety briefing and bike setup happen before you start.

What's included in the day, and what do I need to bring?

The day includes a luxury shuttle from Wanaka to Cromwell and back by 3pm, bike hire (either a regular Specialized or Trek bike, or a Sinch Jaunt 2.0 e-bike), a helmet with Mips impact protection, a rear trunk bag to leave your rucksack in the van, a repair kit, pump and lock, and a Guest Experience Manager who briefs you and stays in attendance. Food and drink are not provided, so you'll stop at Carrick Winery or bring your own.

How do I get back to Wanaka after I finish at Clyde?

A luxury shuttle picks you up in Clyde and returns you to Wanaka by 3pm, so the whole day is hosted from start to finish. Your Guest Experience Manager coordinates the timing and has a direct phone number if anything changes during the ride.

What's the difference between the regular bike and the e-bike?

The e-bike is a Sinch Jaunt 2.0 with motor assist that handles the two 150m climbs with very little effort, so you can pace yourself and save energy for the rest of the day. A regular Specialized or Trek bike works the full 42km route if you want the full pedal experience and have the fitness for the climbs. Both options follow the same trail and finish by 3pm.