The idea was canvassed at a meeting in Palmerston on Wednesday night, attended by 12 people, and attracted strong support and some dissent.
The meeting, convened by cycling and rail trail enthusiast Jane Matchett, of Palmerston, was addressed by Matthew Sole of Omakau, an independent rail trail consultant and former Department of Conservation staff member.
[comment caption=Is this trail a good idea?]He outlined the development of the hugely-popular Central Otago Rail Trail, which runs between Middlemarch and Clyde.
The proposed East Otago trail would follow the former Waihemo branch railway line corridor from Palmerston to Dunback.
The line opened in 1885 and closed, in stages, between the 1960s and 1990.
But Mrs Matchett said some of the former railway land would not be available, as some landowners were worried about the possibility of a rail trail running through their properties.
Several routes between Dunback and Middlemarch - one end of the Otago Central Rail Trail - are being considered, including an old dray road and tracks.
There was never a railway line between the two towns.
Waihemo Community Board chairman Rod Philip, of Bushey, said the board was "extremely supportive" of the idea.
A committee was established to look at alternative routes that could be used between Palmerston, Dunback and Middlemarch. An ocean-to-alps cycleway is being investigated by the Waitaki and Mackenzie district councils as part of the national Great Rides project being promoted by the Government.
Waitaki deputy mayor Gary Kircher said a cycleway from Mt Cook to Oamaru would be something that was different and "somewhat iconic".
The corporate services committee recommended the council support the concept.
