Arrowtown-Gibbston Valley Bike Ride: A Detailed Review
The Arrowtown-Gibbston Valley region is almost calling your name if you’re wanting a special scenic adventure. That part of New Zealand just might be almost one of the dreamiest settings for a bike ride too. You’ve got that combination of old gold rush history mixed with rows and rows of vineyards, offering up more or less an experience that’s hard to beat. So, the self-guided bike ride is a super popular way to check the area out. Is that the best way, though? I’ll share my thoughts and tips to just help you decide if it’s the thing for you. And I hope to offer ideas so your trip goes smoothly!
What to Expect on the Trail
Basically, the Arrowtown-Gibbston River Trail mostly is this fairly gentle ride that snakes its way right alongside some crazy picturesque places. Expect about, you know, maybe four to five hours of pedaling, which depends, of course, on how often you end up stopping at vineyards (that may well be the big reason for some of the ride!). The trail surface is that combination of gravel and some sealed bits, so too it’s generally okay for various fitness levels. Still, you may want to, just so you know, expect some gently rolling hills to make it just a bit interesting. What helps make it wonderful, though, really, is that ever-changing scenery. Imagine just cycling close to the clear blue waters of the Arrow River and Kawarau River, with these like, huge mountains on either side, really, that gives you this feeling of like, being far removed. If you visit in the fall, just prepare to have your mind blown with the gold and red hues. You also may want to have your camera ready because around every bend, is that perfect photo moment, seriously!
Planning Your Ride: Rentals, Shuttles, and Routes
Alright, if you’re hoping to do a self-guided deal, a very important decision is like, how to take care of all the details. The simplest thing you may want to do is rent a bike directly out of Arrowtown. There’s more or less several spots that rent decent bikes, provide helmets, plus maps. You can sometimes grab a shuttle as part of the bike rental deal, right, and they drive you to either end of the track. It lets you like, do one way rather than double back. Or, really, you know, biking back will offer its own take. That is that you are going to get different light on a re-do. Okay, here’s like, something else to consider, alright? Look into those official route maps very carefully, seriously! Or rather, make sure that your rental spot is going to highlight the path so you more or less don’t find yourself getting off course onto something super difficult. A lot of the ride is like, wonderfully marked, really. Yet there are segments, honestly, that can get just a bit puzzling if that makes sense.
Vineyard Stops: Tasting Your Way Through Gibbston Valley
The main thing of the bike ride really, is hitting those wineries. Gibbston Valley happens to be that spot affectionately known as the “Valley of the Vines.” That is that wine enthusiasts will absolutely find their happy spot, literally. Many, perhaps even most, wineries provide tastings where you might sample various types. Usually, you are going to want to try their Pinot Noir, you know. The location’s sort of like, cool climate has an ideal effect on it. It may well be a brilliant idea to map the vineyards you may want to visit beforehand, I would say. Some may well be directly on that route itself. And with others, you know, maybe just a short detour is needed. Still, in a way, to savor a peaceful time I’d just suggest sticking to two or three at most, honestly. Please, do not even forget to check to see about the need for booking and the hours, in particular during high season! It’d be tragic if you roll up super excited only to discover they are all full. One other important bit to consider is packing a couple of snacks. The riding plus the wine tastings is that perfect combination for a boost of hunger!
Safety Tips and What to Bring
Basically, just doing a little planning and packing could totally affect how well you experience this adventure. You obviously want to start with the essentials for this sort of thing. I mean like sunscreen and shades. And please, oh please, apply the sunscreen, okay? This should occur even on cooler days so you may save yourself that terrible sunburn. A great thing is those layers are the way to go regarding gear since this location’s climate can change in that flash. In general, you want to, seriously, ensure your phone is juiced so you are able to snap the pictures. Beyond this it is there in the instance of any situation needing help. I’d make sure you’ve got a backpack containing enough water too. When it comes to safety considerations you should generally, in any event, follow all the guidelines for cycling. Stay alert to those sharing paths with you (there’ll likely be others using it, after all!). Let people know if you’re passing. Observe speed limits, where that is going to be posted. It may sound common sense, I realize. The enjoyment factor multiplies though if everyone respects each other!
Other Things to See and Do Nearby
Your trip doesn’t have to be that solo, stand alone biking deal, in any way. Add some other places. Arrowtown itself has that gold rush story at its heart, clearly, so you may want to do something, you know, sort of a self-guided walking thing. Check the Lakes District Museum & Gallery, seriously. Then poke around those old Chinese settlement sites. Want an extreme type of activity, in any way? Head down to the Kawarau Bridge Bungy. They gave birth to it all there. The shotover jet is always an exciting boat. And it’s more or less iconic around those parts. Otherwise Queenstown isn’t far from those regions so you could then add on that exploration, that is that town’s restaurants and pretty sights are legendary, really! Check your calendar too, in other words. So many gigs and events occur in all seasons so you might like something special!