Roxburgh Gorge Trail: Bike Hire, Jet Boat and Shuttle
SheBikesHeBikes hires bikes and e-bikes for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail from our Clyde depot, books the jet boat across the part of the trail that isn't built yet, and shuttles you home from Roxburgh Dam. The ride is Grade 2-3, with schist bluffs up to 350 m above the Clutha Mata-Au River and old gold-mining sluicings on the way.
21 km riding + 13 km by boat Alexandra to Roxburgh Dam
How the Roxburgh Gorge Trail works
The trail has a gap. Riders cycle the first 10 km from Alexandra, take a jet boat across 13 km of gorge where the trail isn't built, then cycle the last 11 km. Distances below are from Clyde by the River Track, boat included.
- 0 km
Clyde
Collect your bike at our depot, 13 Fraser St. Free water is available at the historic Clyde Railway Station.
- 12 km
Alexandra
12 km on the River Track, or about 11 km on the Otago Central Rail Trail, which is flatter and straighter. This is your last stop for cafés and shops, so check the time before you stop.
- 22 km
Doctors Point
10 km from Alexandra, so allow 60 to 90 minutes. Dismount and walk your bike down the switchbacks at the Narrows. There is a long-drop toilet at the jetty.
- By boat
The jet boat
13 km in about 45 minutes, with your bike on board. Look for the sluicing scars and schist huts left by the gold miners.
- 35 km
Shingle Creek
Another long-drop toilet, then 11 km that climb and descend, with the most switchbacks and hairpins on the trail.
- 46 km
Roxburgh Dam
The finish, also known as Roxburgh Hydro. There is no toilet here: the nearest is at Commissioners Flat, 2.1 km away. Stone House Gardens, a seasonal café, is close by.
Two ways to ride the Roxburgh Gorge
Each card links to the full details and booking on our main site.
Gorge Yourself: Clyde to Roxburgh Dam, 1 day
Meet at our Clyde depot at 8:30 am and set off at 9:00 am. Ride to Alexandra by the River Track or the Rail Trail, take the pre-booked 12:30 pm jet boat, then ride the last 11 km to Roxburgh Dam. The 3:30 pm shuttle takes you back to Clyde. A mountain bike and the Trail Tag fee are included, with an e-bike upgrade if you'd like one.
View the day tripRoxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trail, 3 or 5 days
Add the Clutha Gold Trail and keep going: 3 days from Clyde to Lawrence, or 5 days to Lake Waihola. We plan the accommodation, bike hire, shuttles and luggage transfers, and the planning is free.
View the multi-day tripsWhat to know about the gorge
There is no bike shop and no café in the gorge, and mobile reception comes and goes. Fill your bottles in Clyde and Alexandra, bring lunch, and ride within your limits. Free water is available at the historic Clyde Railway Station, and Alexandra has plenty of cafés for a coffee before you go in.
The free Trip Notes app covers this trail, with the toilets, water, food and warnings along the way.
- Leave on timeThe boat runs to a set time. Don't linger in Alexandra
- The NarrowsDismount and walk your bike down the switchbacks
- ToiletsLong-drops at Doctors Point and Shingle Creek. None at Roxburgh Dam; the nearest is at Commissioners Flat, 2.1 km away
- The finishStone House Gardens, a seasonal café in a stone packhouse, is near Roxburgh Dam
From booking to the shuttle home
Book ahead
Bookings are essential. Book online or call us. We book the boat and the shuttle with your bikes.
Ride and cross
Ride from Clyde to Alexandra and into the gorge, then take the jet boat across the gap to Shingle Creek.
Finish and shuttle
Ride the last 11 km to Roxburgh Dam. The shuttle brings you back to Clyde.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Roxburgh Gorge Trail?
From Alexandra to Roxburgh Dam it is 34 km: 10 km of riding to Doctors Point, 13 km by jet boat, then 11 km of riding from Shingle Creek. That is 21 km on the bike. From Clyde, add 12 km on the River Track or about 11 km on the Otago Central Rail Trail to reach Alexandra.
Is the Roxburgh Gorge Trail finished?
Not yet. The 13 km centre section between Doctors Point and Shingle Creek isn't built, so a jet boat carries riders across. Landowner approval is in place and access tracks for the builders are done. We expect it to open in early 2027, but that date isn't confirmed.
Do I need to take the jet boat?
Yes, to ride from one end to the other. The transfer takes about 45 minutes, and the boat runs to a set time, so you need to reach Doctors Point before your booked departure. Leave Clyde in good time and book ahead.
How hard is the Roxburgh Gorge Trail?
It is Grade 2-3, easy to intermediate. The trail is narrow in places. At the Narrows, before Doctors Point, you dismount and walk down the switchbacks. After Shingle Creek the trail climbs and has the most switchbacks and hairpins, so an e-bike or some fitness helps.
Where can I hire a bike for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail?
From our depot at 13 Fraser St, Clyde (map), which is open 8:30am to 5pm, 7 days, September to May, and by appointment from June to August. We don't have a depot in Alexandra. The day trip starts in Clyde and rides to Alexandra, about 11 or 12 km away, before the trail begins.
Is there a shuttle back to Clyde?
Yes. On our Gorge Yourself day trip the return shuttle leaves from Stone House Gardens, near Roxburgh Dam, at 3:30 pm and takes you back to Clyde. It is part of the trip.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. You still need the jet boat to ride the whole trail. Riders with their own bikes can also shuttle by road between Alexandra and Roxburgh Dam. Call us and we can book the boat and transport.
Do I need a Trail Tag for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail?
The trail asks riders to hold a Trail Tag. We include the fee in all our bookings, so there is nothing extra to buy.
Can children ride the Roxburgh Gorge Trail?
It suits children who are tall enough to ride a 24-inch kids' bike, because the trail is narrow in parts and has switchbacks and climbs.
Ready to ride the Roxburgh Gorge?
Choose a ride above, or call us and we'll help you plan the day. Trip planning is free.