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Summer issue of Adventure Magazine
Summer issue of Adventure Magazine
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THE DUNSTAN TRAIL<br />
More than just amazing engineering<br />
A lot has been written about the development of the Dunstan Trail and the canter-levered tracks that<br />
suspend over Lake Dunstan. However there was so much more to this bike track than a marvel of<br />
engineering.<br />
Despite Covid disrupting travel for many in the country, the Dunstan has already recorded a record<br />
number of visitors since it opened in May 2021, all keen to enjoy either all, or part of the 57km trail.<br />
Beginning in Smiths Way, Cromwell, the trail follows the Clutha River arm of Lake Dunstan into old<br />
Cromwell town then circles the Kawerau River arm out towards Bannockburn before turning south east<br />
towards Clyde. Although a grade two ride most of the way, with some grade 2-3, this is no “easy” trail.<br />
The path is narrow in places and with numerous blind corners and steep drops to the river below, it does<br />
offer a challenge for the more adventurous.<br />
Having flown into Queentown for a quick visit, we hired bikes from Bike It Now! in Clyde. We drove out<br />
to their headquarters where we were fitted with our bikes before being driven back into Cromwell to start<br />
the ride. The trail actually starts at Smiths Way and bikes through Pisa Moorings towards Cromwell. It’s<br />
a flat (grade 1) 16km ride alongside the river with the highway on one side, however we missed this part<br />
and began at Old Cromwell village, meaning we had just over 40km ride ahead of us.<br />
50//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#229
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