Cycle tourism companies are reporting good interest from throughout the country in the Roxburgh Gorge Trail.
Bike It Now! has had inquiries from at least four large groups wanting to ride the 34km trail between Alexandra and the Roxburgh Dam.
At least two of the groups will sign to ride the trail as well as the Clutha Gold trail, co-owner Kathryn Fletcher said.
''We were well aware of the fact that a boat was going to be involved and as far as the cost goes, it's part of the experience.''
There is a $95 per person boat charge to cross the middle section of the trail.
At this stage, the company's three-day itinerary from Clyde to Dunedin including bike hire is $490.
That cost includes a $25 trails passport but not a $25 maintenance contribution, which was ''still under discussion''.
Trail Journeys managing director Neville Grubb said the boat cost and the maintenance contribution made it ''reasonably expensive before you even turn the pedal''.
Although he appreciated the boat operators had to cover costs, he was disappointed it was an individual charge with no group concession available.
His company will be offering it to clients but he thought the boat cost would constrain demand.
Christchurch-based Adventure South director Geoff Gabites said due to the high cost, the trail and the adjoining 73km Clutha Gold trail were not viable options for his company.
''I thought the trail was fantastic and would see this as being a five-day trip out of Queenstown through to Dunedin, but once we add the $95 to the $25 [maintenance contribution] it becomes such a major component.''
When compared with the five-day $1350 packages his company offered for the Otago Central Rail Trail, the boat fee and maintenance contribution would ''skew the price quite considerably''.
The Alps2Ocean trail, which stretches about 300km from Mt Cook to Oamaru, has a helicopter section which crosses Lake Pukaki and costs $125.
Alps2Ocean trail marketing and sales officer Jason Menard said although the trail differed from the Roxburgh one in that the expensive section was at the beginning and could be skipped if desired, quite a few people still chose to take the flight.
