Lake Dunstan Cycleway bike rental: 42km ride with return shuttle
Ride 42km alongside Lake Dunstan and let the shuttle handle the way back
Rent a bike and ride the Lake Dunstan Cycleway, a 42km self-guided route from Cromwell to Clyde on New Zealand's Great Ride Routes, with a luxury shuttle returning you to your car. The trail runs on the opposite shore from the road, engineered into the rockface in places and crossing the Hugo Suspension Bridge. You choose the pace, the bike type (e-bike with adjustable assistance or gravel bike), and the stops along the way. A support driver holds a direct phone number if you need help.
Options for this experience
3 optionsWhat’s included
- Hire of a brand new e-bike or gravel bike.
- safety briefing.
- 8L rear trunk bag so you don't need a rucksack.
- helmet with MIPs protection.
- bike lock, puncture repair kit and pump.
- guest experience manager support with a direct phone number.
- luxury return shuttle from Clyde back to Cromwell.
Times
- Every day 09:30
Before you book
Operated by nzbiketrails
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
You start in Cromwell with a brand new bike (either an e-bike with adjustable assistance levels or a specialist gravel bike), and a safety briefing. The 42km trail ahead stays on the opposite side of Lake Dunstan from the road, which means 25km of the ride has no vehicle access at all. The surface is compacted gravel throughout, rated Grade 1-3, and the engineering that cut this trail into the rockface and built the Hugo Suspension Bridge is visible as you ride: you are not following a road, you are following something that had to be invented for this lake.
The pace is entirely yours. E-bikes let you dial the assistance up or down, or off entirely, so nobody gets left behind and nobody has to push harder than they want to. Information boards along the way tell the history: the goldrush that brought people here, the building of New Zealand's largest dam, the reason this shore exists the way it does. You carry an 8L rear trunk bag instead of a rucksack, a helmet with MIPs protection, a lock and a puncture repair kit. A support driver is reachable by phone if the day does not go as planned. The stops are yours to choose: Carrick Winery, Burger & Coffee Afloat, or the historic bars in Clyde before the ride ends.
When you reach Clyde, the luxury shuttle picks you up and returns you to Cromwell where your car is waiting. The whole day runs about five hours from start to finish. Riders should be at least 10 years old, comfortable on a bike and fit enough for a moderate day in the saddle. The operator notes their oldest rider so far was nearly 80.
Is this one for you?Choose the e-bike if you want to control your own effort level. The adjustable assistance means you set the pace without worrying about keeping up with a group or running out of energy on a 42km day. Pick the gravel bike if you prefer to ride without motor help and want a lighter, more responsive feel on the compacted gravel surface.
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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.
Can I ride the Lake Dunstan Cycleway if I'm not very fit?
The e-bike option with adjustable assistance is designed so you can dial down the effort. You control how much help the motor gives you at any moment, including turning it off entirely. Riders need to be fit and confident on a bike, and the operator notes cardiovascular health matters for a day this long, but the e-bike removes the need to match a group's pace or power through climbs.
Do I need to bring my own food and water?
Food and drink are not included with the bike rental. The trail passes Carrick Winery and Burger & Coffee Afloat, both places to stop and buy something, and you finish in Clyde where there are bars and cafes before the shuttle returns you to Cromwell.
What happens if I get a flat tire or the bike breaks down?
You carry a puncture repair kit and a pump with you, and a support driver is reachable by phone throughout the ride if you need help. The operator provides a direct phone number as part of the experience.
Is the Lake Dunstan Cycleway one of New Zealand's Great Ride Routes?
Yes, the Lake Dunstan Cycleway is part of New Zealand's Great Ride Routes network. The trail is Grade 1-3, which means it is accessible to a range of riders, and the surface is compacted gravel throughout.
What bikes are available to rent?
You can choose an e-bike with adjustable assistance levels, or a specialist gravel bike (Specialized Rockhopper or iLabb). Both are from the operator's brand new fleet. E-bikes let you control how much motor assistance you use, which is why the operator recommends them for this 42km ride.
Lake Dunstan Cycleway bike rental: 42km ride with return shuttle
5h
from NZ$ 160 per person
≈ US$ 92 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.