The Otago Harbour Cycle Loop trail opened in August 2023. Lonely Planet lists it as one of the top ten cycling routes in the world. And Sarah and I were happy to ride it Monday afternoon with our friend James.
We rode out the Portobello Road to Portobello picking up James along the way. The oceanside pathway is protected from cars but it’s pretty exposed on the oceanside. The view of the harbour is beautiful but I did spend a fair bit of time being extra careful not to wander off the edge into the water! We had a head wind on our way out so that helped with the being slow and careful part. There were lots of cyclists on the path, including lots of seniors. I was surprised it was so busy on a weekday.
Here’s what the path looks like near the Portobello Pineapple.
We had time for a quick coffee in Portobello before catching the ferry across the harbor to Port Chalmers. The ferry looked like it would only fit a few bikes but the ferry operator managed to get a dozen or so on the boat– ten e- bikes and our two manuals, as she called them. It was a quick trip across the harbor in the small ferry.
The bike path loop is formally called The Otago Vine .
The section from Port Chalmers back to Dunedin is pretty different. Because the railway line runs next to water you’re a bit set back from the ocean, possibly safer but also maybe less scenic. Where the Portobello side is pretty flat, the Port Chalmers side does have some hills. And the Portobello path has been there for a very long time, the Port Chalmers side is very spiffy and newly signed.
It’s a great fun loop to ride. 10/10 recommend for riders of all levels and abilities.
Sarah says,
“There’s lots to love about the ride on both sides of the harbour. Stunning natural beauty is just the beginning, but it’s worth mentioning just so you know to stop at every bench along the way to marvel at the view.
It also has the advantage of having a steady prevailing winds that blow down the harbour, which means riding out into a headwind and zooming back. Whee!”
