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Opens 19–20 September 2026

E-bike hire on the Kawarau Gorge Trail

The short answer

32km, grade 2–3, intermediate, usually ridden in 1 day. 4 hosts hire Sinch e-bikes on it — SheBikesHeBikes, nzbiketrails, Adventure South NZ and Trail Journeys, with pick-ups at Cromwell, Bannockburn, Gibbston Valley.

Before you book

Not a family trail. It climbs over 800m and includes a 13km backcountry section with no easy exit once you are in.

Opens 19–20 September 2026, finally linking the Gibbston wineries to Bannockburn and Lake Dunstan.

4 hosts hire Sinch e-bikes on the Kawarau Gorge Trail

An e-bike at the Bannockburn sluicings
Qualmark Gold
SheBikesHeBikes Clyde, Central Otago · 6 depots & pick-ups

Depots in six towns across the network, so riders can start, finish or switch trails without being tied to one location.

Shuttles Luggage transfer Kids' bikes Briefing & maps
Book direct
Book direct with the team · about 2 days ahead
A rider on the Kawarau Gorge Trail above the river in autumn
Qualmark Gold
nzbiketrails Wānaka · 6 depots & pick-ups

Quality bikes, run by passionate trail riders who are committed to making sure you have a brilliant time.

Shuttles Luggage transfer Kids' bikes Briefing & maps
Book direct
Book online · same-day bookings taken, and up to 2 years ahead
Four riders on the Otago Central Rail Trail, riding out through a rock cutting
Qualmark Gold
Adventure South NZ Christchurch, Canterbury · 2 depots & pick-ups

Small-group guided cycling holidays, fully supported, with Sinch e-bike hire added at booking.

Shuttles Luggage transfer Kids' bikes Briefing & maps
Book direct
Guided trips · book 2–12 months ahead
Two riders on the canal road on the Alps 2 Ocean
Qualmark Gold
Trail Journeys Clyde, Central Otago · 7 depots & pick-ups

On-trail support for every client and equipment kept to a standard, with vehicle backup if it is needed.

Shuttles Luggage transfer Kids' bikes Briefing & maps
Book direct
Book online or phone · a day ahead for day trips, months for multi-day

Rider questions

Marked up as FAQPage structured data

Are there any restrictions on the Kawarau Gorge Trail?

Not a family trail. It climbs over 800m and includes a 13km backcountry section with no easy exit once you are in.

Where can I hire an e-bike on the Kawarau Gorge Trail?

4 hosts on this trail run Sinch e-bike fleets: SheBikesHeBikes (Clyde, Central Otago), nzbiketrails (Wānaka), Adventure South NZ (Christchurch, Canterbury), Trail Journeys (Clyde, Central Otago). Each listing below links straight to their own booking page.

Do I need an e-bike for the Kawarau Gorge Trail?

The trail is 32km, grade 2–3, intermediate. Gravel has far more rolling resistance than sealed road and an exposed headwind costs more than the distance suggests, so assistance is what keeps a long day enjoyable.

How far in advance should I book?

SheBikesHeBikes: book direct with the team · about 2 days ahead. nzbiketrails: book online · same-day bookings taken, and up to 2 years ahead. Adventure South NZ: guided trips · book 2–12 months ahead. Trail Journeys: book online or phone · a day ahead for day trips, months for multi-day.

Can children ride the Kawarau Gorge Trail?

Not recommended. The Kawarau Gorge Trail is rated grade 2–3, intermediate, so it is not a trail for young children regardless of what bike sizes a host stocks. For family riding in this region, choose a Grade 1–2 trail instead.

Are there shuttles back to the start?

Yes — SheBikesHeBikes, nzbiketrails and Trail Journeys run rider-and-bike shuttles, so you can ride one direction and get driven back.

Where you pick the bike up

Meeting points on this trail. Be ten minutes early — shuttles cannot wait.

Cromwell meeting point 20 Matthews Crescent, Cromwell 9310 SheBikesHeBikes
Bannockburn depot 164 Felton Road, Bannockburn, Central Otago SheBikesHeBikes
Gibbston meeting point Kinross, 2300 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston SheBikesHeBikes
Cromwell — McNulty Inlet 5 McNulty Inlet, Cromwell, Otago 9310 nzbiketrails
Cromwell — The Junction Lookout The Junction Lookout, Cromwell, Otago 9310 nzbiketrails
Kinross Winery & Cottages Kinross Winery & Cottages, Gibbston, Otago 9371 nzbiketrails
Cromwell — Highlands Highlands, Cromwell, Central Otago Trail Journeys
Oxbow, Gibbston Valley Oxbow, Gibbston Valley, Otago Trail Journeys
Trails that link up with this one
Otago Central Rail Trail 152km · Grade 1 · 3 hosts Lake Dunstan Trail 41km · Grade 1-3 · 4 hosts Roxburgh Gorge Trail 21km · Grade 3 · 4 hosts Clutha Gold Trail 135km · Grade 1-2 · 3 hosts Queenstown Trails 138km · Grade 1-3 · 3 hosts Wānaka & Hāwea Trails 30km · Grade 1-2 · 1 host