Otago Youth Adventure Trust
Milton Rotary Tramping Club

Our bookings for the A2O 2024 will open Friday 7th July 2023 at 9.45am.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

If you have any queries about any of our trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator 

Emma Lister (03) 417 7571 admin@ortt.org.nz

Trip Dates for 2024;

Price; $1725.00

ABOUT:

This ride has stunning views of Mt Cook, Lakes Pukaki and Ohau, McKenzie Basin and Waitaki valley. The ride is 316km with five days riding. The trail is suitable for those with moderate cycling abilities – up to a grade 3 level. It is undulating with some short steep sections that are on and off road. (For reference the Otago Central Rail Trail is graded level 1). We will have two vehicles to transport your gear between shared accommodation and as support for you all. There will be cycle leaders riding with the group plus the backup team of two, all of whom will provide low key assistance if needed.

ITINERARY;

Day 1; Leaving Dunedin at 8.00am (from the Leviathan, please be ready and waiting outside at 7.45am to load the bikes) to Mt Cook Village. We will travel by minivan via Oamaru arriving at Mt Cook village early enough to allow you to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre and take short walks/cycle about the Village. Accommodation is at The Hermitage in Double or Twin Share Rooms. We have a Buffet Dinner in the evening and a cooked breakfast will be provided the following morning.

Day 2; (75 km) Mt Cook Village – Twizel. Riders will cycle 6km to Mt Cook airport for a short helicopter flight across the Tasman River to the eastern shore of Lake Pukaki to the start of the trail. Accommodation is at the High Country Lodge, Twizel (double or twin rooms) with dinner at a local restaurant, MOW and breakfast provided at MINT. 

Day 3; (38 km) Twizel – Lake Ohau Lodge via canal roads and the cycle path around the shores of Lake Ohau. Accommodation is in twin/double rooms at Ohau Lodge with dinner and breakfast included.  The stay here is always a highlight with stunning views and hospitality.

Day 4; (78 km) Lake Ohau Lodge – Otematata.  The ride takes you to the highest point on the trail with views back to Mt Cook and over Lake Ohau. Accommodation is at the Otematata Hotel with dinner and breakfast included.

Day 5; (71 km) Otematata – Duntroon, the day starts with a short quick downhill ride from Benmore dam to Aviemore dam, then to Kurow township, along the Waitaki river then we branch off the trail to stay the evening at the Duntroon Pub, and Kowhai Cottage and Bach.  Dinner and breakfast provided at the Pub.

Day 6; (54 km) Duntroon – Oamaru, the trail is on and off road, on rolling hills and flat, through lush farmland and wonderful limestone formations to the wharf at Oamaru where you can have a coffee and see the Victorian architecture that makes Oamaru famous.  Then it is homeward bound to Dunedin arriving there late in the day.

NOTE; 

You will need to indicate on your booking if you require bike hire, please state mtb or ebike. The cost is $310 for a mountain bike and $560 E -bike for the trip, payable later. If you hire an ebike and do not regularly ride one, we highly recommend that you hire one locally before the trip to gain experience, as they do differ from a regular mtb.

Emma Lister (admin@ortt.org.nz) the trail organiser will contact you regarding bike sizing and payment.

FOOD AND TRANSPORT;

We provide vans to transport you from Dunedin (or picks ups can be arranged from Milton and Oamaru), and return you back on the last day. Breakfasts and Dinners are provided along the way, and we supply morning tea and lunch to you along the track. Lunch on the first day is at your own expense. 

CONTACT;

Emma Lister

Phone; (03) 417 7571

Email; admin@ortt.org.nz

SEE ALSO;