Welcome to goRide’s Riding the Otago Rail Trail with a Family page. This is where we help you get prepared and confident to have a family cycling holiday on the Otago Rail Trail with kids of all ages.

Let’s work through what you need to consider and determine how your family can successfully ride the Otago Rail Trail.

Can your family successfully Ride the Otago Rail Trail? Yes.  What we love about the trail is there is something for all levels of riders…

What we love about the Otago Rail Trail is the flexibility it offers families. There is a riding solution for every family. To match your families biking abilities and what you want from a biking adventure, it is simply determining how to put the adventure together.

Family riding adventure considerations…

1. How far can your family ride in a day? This will determine what your family biking holiday looks like. Remember you won’t be able to control the weather, so you need to make sure you can complete the distance no matter the conditions. If you kids are riding their own bike, being able to assist them with a tow might help support the distance they can ride.

2. How many days – One day or multiple days?  Are you wanting just to ride a day, a section of the trail or complete the whole trail? If you are riding multiple days, do you want to ride everyday or add a rest day from riding?

3. What level of support do you need? Understanding your options can help you consider what might be best for your family

• Tour planners. Companies that will plan your whole trip for you. Accomodation, flights, transfers to the trail, sightseeing bookings etc
• Trail guides. Can be a good option if it is your first time and you are not feeling overly confident.  Also a good way to meet other riders of similar ability.
• Shuttle services to transport riders and your bikes along the Rail Trail. This can be good for shuttles back to your car at the end of a day or the end of the trail.
• Bag transfers. This can be good so you only have to carry gear for the day and not gear for the whole trip.
• Bike Hire. This is useful if it is challenging to get your bikes to the trail.
• Different levels of accommodation and catering at a variety of towns along the trail. From campground through to lodges. Options of self catering to meals and lunches provided… the variety of levels ensures you can find a solution that matches your budget and the amount of gear you can carry.

4. Carrying gear just for the day or for the complete adventure? Do you want to carry the gear you need for the day and have your bags transported or do you want to carry all of your gear on your bikes?

The Otago Rail Trail is suitable to ride with kids on a bike seat or towed in a trailer. The gradient of the trail makes it suitable for kids to ride their own bike and you can assist with a tow when needed.

Use our guides for riding with kids of different ages to understand how your family could ride the Otago Rail Trail. Read the guides that match the ages of your child or children.

Do you need to purchase or hire solutions for your ride?