# Kawarau Gorge Trail - Opening Day

**URL:** <https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-opening-day/1844>\
**Category:** Events\
**Tags:** featured, central-otago\
**Created:** [28 September 2026 04:46 UTC](https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-opening-day/1844 "2026-09-28T04:46:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://spokes.nz/uploads/default/original/1X/880f7f13bf8bd7df68c3f8c330441a230eb7778c.png) [@system](https://spokes.nz/u/system)\
**Post date:** [28 September 2026 04:46 UTC](https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-opening-day/1844/1 "2026-09-28T04:46:47Z")

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> **Event**
>
> **Starts:** 25 October 2026\
> **Location:** Kinross (Gibston Valley)\
> **Link:** <https://www.southernlakestrails.nz/kawarau-gorge-trail>
>
> A public opening is planned for Sunday 25th October 2026, Labour Weekend, with a community ride along the new trail. The mass start will be from Kinross in Gibbston, with the ride finishing at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, where a street party and fireworks will take place.

Upon completion, the [Kawarau Gorge Trail](https://www.southernlakestrails.nz/kawarau-gorge-trail "Kawarau Gorge Trail") will connect Queenstown’s trails with the other [Otago cycle trails](https://www.trailhub.co.nz/otago-trails/ "Otago Trails"), to form a connected network of over 550km of purpose-built, off-road cycling and walking trails.

The Kawarau Gorge is a dramatic canyon carved by the Kawarau River and the construction of the 34km long trail has required complex and ambitious engineering. The trail includes numerous styles of bridges, including 4 dramatic bluff bridges. The trail itself is playful but also challenging, with lengthy grade 3 sections and the middle 13km of the trail is through a remote backcountry environment with no alternate exit routes. Southern Lakes Trails Trust recommends that all users familiarise themselves with the [trail safety information](https://www.southernlakestrails.nz/trail-safety "Trail Safety") as the Kawarau Gorge Trail is a challenging ride and not recommended for beginners or young children.

**Please note that there is strictly no public access to the trail until the official opening as the trail is currently a construction site with significant risks and hazards.**

> **[Kawarau Gorge Trail NZ | Map, Distance & Difficulty Guide — Southern Lakes...](https://www.southernlakestrails.nz/kawarau-gorge-trail)**
>
> Explore the Kawarau Gorge Trail, a challenging and historic biking route in Central Otago featuring scenic river views, bridges, and backcountry sections. Perfect for confident riders.