Misplaced Pages

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactivelyContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 09:58, 13 July 2010 editIngolfson (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers35,967 edits ←Created page with 'The '''Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail''' is a cycle trail funded as one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail system in Otago, New Zealand. The trai...'  Latest revision as of 11:21, 27 November 2024 edit undoAlexeyevitch (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers29,274 edits copyedits 
(108 intermediate revisions by 54 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Cycle trail in New Zealand}}
The '''Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail''' is a cycle trail funded as one of the projects of the ] system in ], ]. The trail is to extend 312km from ] to ] on the Pacific Ocean shore.
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2024}}
]
]


The '''Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail''' is a cycle trail in the South Island of New Zealand. This trail is one of the projects of the ] project. The trail extends more than {{convert|300|km}} from ] to ] on the ]. From west to east, it descends from an altitude of {{convert|780|m}} down to sea level. The trail has both on and off-road sections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Waitaki District Council & Mackenzie District |title=Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Maps - Official Website |url=https://www.alps2ocean.com/trail-map |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Waitaki District Council & Mackenzie District Council |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ Funding for the trail from the NZCT budget was approved in July 2010,<ref name="PEDALLING">{{cite news|title=Editorial: Pedalling to a windfall |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/opinion/3891207/Pedalling-to-a-windfall|accessdate=13 July 2010|newspaper=Stuuf.co.nz / ]|date=7 July 2010}}</ref> after the trail had been shortlisted as one of 13 from 54 nation-wide proposals.<ref name="PRESS-SUCCESS">{{cite news|title=Press Release: Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie - National Cycleway Success For Mackenzie Region|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00171.htm|accessdate=13 July 2010|newspaper=Scoop|date=12 February 2010}}</ref>


⚫ Funding for the trail from the New Zealand Community Trust budget was approved in July 2010,<ref name="PEDALLING">{{cite news |title=Editorial: Pedalling to a windfall |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/opinion/3891207/Pedalling-to-a-windfall |accessdate=13 July 2010 |newspaper=] |date=7 July 2010}}</ref> after the trail had been shortlisted as one of 13 from 54 nationwide proposals.<ref name="PRESS-SUCCESS">{{Cite press release |title=National Cycleway Success For Mackenzie Region |url= http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1002/S00171.htm |accessdate=13 July 2010 |publisher=Scoop.co.nz |date=12 February 2010}}</ref>
The $2.75 million from the NZCT are intended to go towards a 312km long trail running from Mt Cook via ] and ] to ] and ] to ]. The trail has been lauded by Tourism Waitaki general manager as the greatest tourism opportunity the Waitaki Valley region had ever seen.<ref name="7mil">{{cite news|title=$7 million for cycleways|newspaper=]|date=7 July 2010}}</ref>

== Sections ==
The trail is composed of eight sections:

=== Aoraki / Mount Cook to Braemar Station ===
The first section, which is {{Convert|32|km|mi}} long, starts out on a dedicated cycle trail, and continues on a gravel road. The first section is the most remote section of the trail and includes stream crossings without bridges.

=== Braemar Station to ] ===
Continuing on a gravel road over hilly terrain, this {{convert|43|km}} section takes in the southern shore of Lake Pukaki and the hydro-electric system of the area around Twizel once on sealed roads. Towards Twizel, the cycle trail leads across the Pukaki Flats, an area of tussock grasslands that are typical for the Mackenzie basin. Twizel is the largest town along the cycle path until the conclusion at ].

=== Twizel to ] ===
The third section is {{convert|38|km}} long and is the only one with a slight gain in elevation. It partly follows canals that are part of the hydro-electric system connecting the glacial lakes. A cycle trail goes around the southern shore of Lake Ōhau, finishing on a sealed road to ] and the Lake Ōhau Lodge.

=== Lake Ōhau to ] ===
The next section leads through an old ] forest and includes the biggest elevation changes. It climbs about {{convert|400|m}} along the Ōhau Range to the highest point of the trail at over {{convert|900|m}} above sea level, before descending to about {{convert|100|m}} lower after a total length of {{convert|40|km}}.

=== Omarama to ] ===
]
The first half of this {{convert|24|km}} section over the Omarama Saddle is on a dedicated cycle trail next to ], from Sailors Cutting the trail follows the edge of Lake Benmore to Benmore Dam. From here it is <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.alps2ocean.com/trail-map/section-5-omarama-to-otematata | title=Section 5: Ōmarama to Otematata | date=5 August 2022 }}</ref> a 6&nbsp;km detour off the main route to Otematata.

=== Otematata to ] ===
Continuing into the ] is the sixth section. It is {{convert|44|km}} long and follows sealed public roads and takes in ], the largest dam within the Waitaki hydro-electric power scheme, as well as ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benmore dam hydro station |url=https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/who-we-are/our-power-stations/hydro/benmore |access-date=8 May 2022 |website=Meridian Energy |language=en-US}}</ref> An off-road 16-kilometre bicycling section was opened on 17 December 2020, from Sailors Cutting to the top of the Benmore Dam in the Waitaki Lakes region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Rebecca |date=21 December 2020 |title=Exciting off-road section of trail opened |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/exciting-road-section-trail-opened |access-date=8 May 2022 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> $1.2 million was spent creating the section.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodge |first=Kayla |date=22 May 2021 |title=Bike trail a beacon in bleak times |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/bike-trail-beacon-bleak-times |access-date=8 May 2022 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref>

=== Kurow to ] ===
From Kurow, the cycle trail continues {{convert|23|km}} off-road to Duntroon.<ref>, Hamish MacLean, 14 January 2016, ODT</ref> The area contains limestone formations, Maori rock drawings and dinosaur fossils.

===Duntroon to ] ===
The last section partly follows the Vanished World trail and past the Elephant Rocks on a mix of sealed public back roads and dedicated cycle trails. From Weston, the cycle trail follows an old railway line and enters Oamaru via the Oamaru Gardens. It finishes after {{convert|55|km}} at Friendly Bay, adjacent to Oamaru's Victorian Historic Precinct.

== Sites ==
Sites on the trail include: • Aoraki/Mt Cook • Snow-capped Mountains • Golden Tussock Landscapes • Glacier Lake Tours • High Country Stations • Hydro Canals • Native Forests • ] • Limestone and Clay Cliffs • Maori Rock Art • Vanished World Fossil Sites • Boutique Shops • Museums • Lakes: ], ], ], ] • Historic Limestone Tunnels • Hydro Dams: Benmore, Aviemore, Waitaki • Vineyards • Oamaru's Victorian Precinct • Galleries & Gifts • ], Oamaru • Blue Penguin Colony • Pacific Ocean<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail |url=https://alpineoamaru.co.nz/local-attractions/alps-2-ocean-cycle-trail/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Alpine Motel |language=en-US}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
Line 9: Line 44:


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category|Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail}}
* (project webpage at the ] official website)
* {{Official website|http://www.alps2ocean.com}} of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail.

{{New Zealand Cycle Trail}}
{{Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park}}


{{coord|-43.7192|170.0937|region:NZ|display=title}}
⚫ ]
⚫ ]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, The}}
{{NZ-stub}}
]
{{cycling-stub}}
]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 11:21, 27 November 2024

Cycle trail in New Zealand

The alps of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park are part of the trail.
Historic town of Oamaru along the trail.

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail is a cycle trail in the South Island of New Zealand. This trail is one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project. The trail extends more than 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Aoraki / Mount Cook to Oamaru on the Pacific Ocean. From west to east, it descends from an altitude of 780 metres (2,560 ft) down to sea level. The trail has both on and off-road sections.

Funding for the trail from the New Zealand Community Trust budget was approved in July 2010, after the trail had been shortlisted as one of 13 from 54 nationwide proposals.

Sections

The trail is composed of eight sections:

Aoraki / Mount Cook to Braemar Station

The first section, which is 32 kilometres (20 mi) long, starts out on a dedicated cycle trail, and continues on a gravel road. The first section is the most remote section of the trail and includes stream crossings without bridges.

Braemar Station to Twizel

Continuing on a gravel road over hilly terrain, this 43 kilometres (27 mi) section takes in the southern shore of Lake Pukaki and the hydro-electric system of the area around Twizel once on sealed roads. Towards Twizel, the cycle trail leads across the Pukaki Flats, an area of tussock grasslands that are typical for the Mackenzie basin. Twizel is the largest town along the cycle path until the conclusion at Oamaru.

Twizel to Lake Ōhau

The third section is 38 kilometres (24 mi) long and is the only one with a slight gain in elevation. It partly follows canals that are part of the hydro-electric system connecting the glacial lakes. A cycle trail goes around the southern shore of Lake Ōhau, finishing on a sealed road to Lake Ohau Alpine Village and the Lake Ōhau Lodge.

Lake Ōhau to Omarama

The next section leads through an old beech forest and includes the biggest elevation changes. It climbs about 400 metres (1,300 ft) along the Ōhau Range to the highest point of the trail at over 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea level, before descending to about 100 metres (330 ft) lower after a total length of 40 kilometres (25 mi).

Omarama to Otematata

Downhill section of Alps 2 Ocean, just past Sailors Cutting, on the edge of Lake Benmore

The first half of this 24 kilometres (15 mi) section over the Omarama Saddle is on a dedicated cycle trail next to SH83, from Sailors Cutting the trail follows the edge of Lake Benmore to Benmore Dam. From here it is a 6 km detour off the main route to Otematata.

Otematata to Kurow

Continuing into the Waitaki Valley is the sixth section. It is 44 kilometres (27 mi) long and follows sealed public roads and takes in Benmore Dam, the largest dam within the Waitaki hydro-electric power scheme, as well as Aviemore Dam and Waitaki Dam. An off-road 16-kilometre bicycling section was opened on 17 December 2020, from Sailors Cutting to the top of the Benmore Dam in the Waitaki Lakes region. $1.2 million was spent creating the section.

Kurow to Duntroon

From Kurow, the cycle trail continues 23 kilometres (14 mi) off-road to Duntroon. The area contains limestone formations, Maori rock drawings and dinosaur fossils.

Duntroon to Oamaru

The last section partly follows the Vanished World trail and past the Elephant Rocks on a mix of sealed public back roads and dedicated cycle trails. From Weston, the cycle trail follows an old railway line and enters Oamaru via the Oamaru Gardens. It finishes after 55 kilometres (34 mi) at Friendly Bay, adjacent to Oamaru's Victorian Historic Precinct.

Sites

Sites on the trail include: • Aoraki/Mt Cook • Snow-capped Mountains • Golden Tussock Landscapes • Glacier Lake Tours • High Country Stations • Hydro Canals • Native Forests • Elephant Rocks • Limestone and Clay Cliffs • Maori Rock Art • Vanished World Fossil Sites • Boutique Shops • Museums • Lakes: Ōhau, Pukaki, Benmore, Aviemore • Historic Limestone Tunnels • Hydro Dams: Benmore, Aviemore, Waitaki • Vineyards • Oamaru's Victorian Precinct • Galleries & Gifts • Steampunk HQ, Oamaru • Blue Penguin Colony • Pacific Ocean

References

  1. Council, Waitaki District Council & Mackenzie District. "Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Maps - Official Website". Waitaki District Council & Mackenzie District Council. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  2. "Editorial: Pedalling to a windfall". The Timaru Herald. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  3. "National Cycleway Success For Mackenzie Region" (Press release). Scoop.co.nz. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  4. "Section 5: Ōmarama to Otematata". 5 August 2022.
  5. "Benmore dam hydro station". Meridian Energy. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  6. Ryan, Rebecca (21 December 2020). "Exciting off-road section of trail opened". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  7. Hodge, Kayla (22 May 2021). "Bike trail a beacon in bleak times". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  8. "New A2O section opened", Hamish MacLean, 14 January 2016, ODT
  9. "Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail". Alpine Motel. Retrieved 24 June 2022.

External links

New Zealand Cycle Trail
New trails
North Island
South Island
Heritage trails
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Mountains
Mountain ranges
Glaciers
Lakes
Rivers
Other geographic features
Settlements and buildings
Walking and cycling tracks
Reserves and World Heritage Sites

43°43′09″S 170°05′37″E / 43.7192°S 170.0937°E / -43.7192; 170.0937

Categories: