The rise in popularity of cycling is certainly being catered for in the Waitaki Valley. We came across a section of the Alps to Ocean (A2O) trail at the Lake Ohau Lodge. Once we had an internet connection I searched out further detail and have now added it to our bucket list. It is 300km in length, drops over 700m, and goes from Mount Cook/Aoraki all the way to Oamaru. The official opening of the track from Aoraki to Omarara is on Saturday morning. There is a bit of work to do be done on the bridges before then, and certainly it won't be the smooth Grade1/2 level in parts that it is listed as being by then.
When we moved on to Lake Pukaki we got the bikes out and went for a mid morning cycle -that was when the muscles from our 4 hour ride became evident again!! :-( It was a very pleasant ride along the canal and then up onto the SH8 to the information centre. From here you can find signage for the A2O trail and so we had another taster, this time along the shore of the Lake and up to the Pines camping area.
Cycling is a great way to see places you whizz past when in a car. The area on the Pukaki River side of the road is very extensive and some of the views are very commanding as our photos show.
We will certainly be taking every opportunity to get on the bikes and of course we need to build up our fitness if we are to do the A2O trail.
Further details about the trail can be found at http://www.nzcycletrail.com/alps-2-ocean-cycle-trail
When we moved on to Lake Pukaki we got the bikes out and went for a mid morning cycle -that was when the muscles from our 4 hour ride became evident again!! :-( It was a very pleasant ride along the canal and then up onto the SH8 to the information centre. From here you can find signage for the A2O trail and so we had another taster, this time along the shore of the Lake and up to the Pines camping area.
Cycling is a great way to see places you whizz past when in a car. The area on the Pukaki River side of the road is very extensive and some of the views are very commanding as our photos show.
We will certainly be taking every opportunity to get on the bikes and of course we need to build up our fitness if we are to do the A2O trail.
Further details about the trail can be found at http://www.nzcycletrail.com/alps-2-ocean-cycle-trail
No comments:
Post a Comment