Skippers Canyon Road — Queenstown's GoldfieldsGorge.
Distance
50 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
Skippers Canyon Road — Queenstown's Goldfields Gorge.
One of New Zealand's most notorious roads — a 22 km gravel ledge blasted into the cliffs of the Shotover gorge by gold miners in the 1880s. Single-lane, unbarriered and banned by most rental contracts, Skippers Road climbs past Coronet Peak before descending to the historic 1901 suspension bridge. An out-and-back from Queenstown for confident riders only.
Quick facts
SurfaceOff-road
Distance50 km
Days1
Total climb900 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
QueenstownStart · Fuel up before leaving. Skippers Road is unsealed, narrow and cut into sheer cliffs — most rental agreements prohibit it. Ride well within your limits.
Arthurs PointScenic Point · Edith Cavell Bridge over the Shotover River and home of the original Shotover Jet. Follow the seal up toward Coronet Peak.
Skippers Turnoff — Coronet Peak RoadMountain Pass · Leave the tarmac here. The miners' road begins: 22 km of single lane with no barriers and few passing bays. Sound your horn on blind corners.
Skippers Canyon & Suspension BridgePhoto Spot · Vertiginous drops to the Shotover far below. The 1901 Skippers suspension bridge is the turnaround — soak up the goldrush history before retracing the gorge.
QueenstownEnd · Return the same road to Queenstown. The gorge looks completely different in the afternoon light.
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