New track delivers the views
A new $1.2m section of the famed Alps2Ocean cycle trail provides access to rarely seen South Island scenery, writes Doug Sail.
Anew $1.2 million section of the Alps2Ocean cycle trail has proved a hit with holidaymakers as they discover rarely seen South Island scenery.
The 16-kilometre section from Sailors Cutting to the top of the Benmore Dam in the Waitaki Lakes region follows the Ahuriri arm of Lake Benmore, serving up sights that users have raved about since it opened on December 18.
Among the more than 7000 cyclists and pedestrians to have tried the track so far was Stuff photographer John Bisset who has previously completed the four sections from the start in Aoraki/Mt Cook through to Omarama.
‘‘It was an awesome ride with great vistas.
‘‘Marie [wife] and I found it a bit more technical than other legs of the trail we have done but the views are fantastic.’’
Bisset said the new section provided views that have been hidden to most people as the track winds its way around the Ahuriri arm of Lake Benmore – well hidden from motorists on State Highway 83 – passes Turnagain and Junction Islands to the finish on the Benmore Peninsula above the Benmore Dam, the largest of the dams within the Waitaki power scheme.
‘‘The views are completed at the end with great views from above the dam and looking down on Loch Laird [a popular camping spot].’’
Tourism Waitaki said the opening represented a major milestone for the A2O as it took the trail significantly off SH83.
‘‘The long-term goal of Alps2Ocean is to take the whole trail off-road within the next five years,’’ Tourism Waitaki’s Natalie Whelan said.
Allan and Paula Wallace, of Dunedin, who have previously ridden the Otago Rail Trail, Macetown, Lake O¯ hau and the Hawea track, were on the trail with the Bissets and came away equally impressed.
‘‘It was great and I really enjoyed it,’’ Paula Wallace said.
‘‘Every time you went round a corner there was a nice surprise, a great view. ‘‘It was a lot more interesting. ‘‘The surface was really good, better than I thought it might be given it was such a new track.’’
Although the A2O committee said the new section is mostly grade 2 (easy), with 5.5km of narrower grade 3 parts, Paula Wallace said ‘‘it was harder and was steeper than I expected in parts but it was definitely worth it’’.
‘‘One of the best bits I have been on in recent times.’’
Allan Wallace agreed, saying he believed the section was ‘‘one of the better ones as far as variety goes’’.
‘‘We rode it from Sailors Cutting to the Benmore Dam.
‘‘I would definitely highly recommend it. The scenery was amazing, there was the odd boat on the lake, no traffic noise, the views were pretty cool and it makes you realise just how lucky we are to be able to do that sort of thing.’’
The new section’s five-month build was chiefly undertaken by M3 Contracting and finished with barriers and bridges by Recreation Construction.
The primary funding, from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, was matched by other contributors.
Lyn Menzies, who enjoyed the trail on its opening day, said she loved getting to see a different part of Lake Benmore you can’t see from the road.
‘‘I loved seeing all the little islands in the lake ... It is going to be an absolute must-do for sure, not just in New Zealand, it is a world-class bike ride.’’