A new 55km cycle trail linking Clyde and Cromwell via the rugged Cromwell Gorge opened in May.

The grade 1-2 trail follows Lake Dunstan, linking the vineyards of Bannockburn through to the start of the Otago Central Rail Trail in Clyde and the new Roxburgh Gorge Trail via Alexandra.

It includes spectacular sections cantilevered over Lake Dunstan, weaving between the Cairnmuir and Dunstan mountains and around enormous schist cliffs.

Work on the $6m trail began in 2019 and was expected to open last year, but was hampered by issues with rockfall and delays from Covid-19.

It forms part of the $26m New Zealand Cycle Trail Project, linking the rail trail with Queenstown via the Kawarau Gorge and to Wanaka via the Clutha River.