# Kawarau Gorge Trail - (Partial) Opening Day

**URL:** <https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-partial-opening-day/1844>\
**Category:** Events\
**Tags:** featured, central-otago\
**Created:** [28 September 2026 04:46 UTC](https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-partial-opening-day/1844 "2026-09-28T04:46:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**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-partial-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>
>
> The public opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail has been delayed, with a new date for full opening expected in late 2026.
>
> The trail will be partially open from 25th October 2026 between Cromwell Heritage Precinct and the Pioneer Bridge near Goldfields Mining Centre. Access between Pioneer Bridge and Gibbston will remain closed as construction work is finished.

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.

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**Author:** ![NathanK](https://spokes.nz/user_avatar/spokes.nz/nathank/32/2002_2.png) [@NathanK](https://spokes.nz/u/NathanK)\
**Post date:** [21 October 2026 03:36 UTC](https://spokes.nz/t/kawarau-gorge-trail-partial-opening-day/1844/2 "2026-10-21T03:36:42Z")

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This has been a bit downgraded to a ‘Partial Opening Day’:

> _ **Update: the Kawarau Gorge Trail will partially open on 25th October 2026** _
> 
> _The public opening of the Kawarau Gorge Trail has been delayed, with a new date for full opening expected in late 2026._
> 
> _The trail will be partially open from 25th October 2026 between Cromwell Heritage Precinct and the Pioneer Bridge near Goldfields Mining Centre. Access between Pioneer Bridge and Gibbston will remain closed as construction work is finished. (Date published 12th October 2026)._
> 
> _from [centralotagonz.com/tracks-and-trails/kawarau-gorge-trail/](http://centralotagonz.com/tracks-and-trails/kawarau-gorge-trail/)_

This is a VERY limited part of the trail (about 1/5 of the total), so not really worth the trip up from Dunners I’m afraid.