Phase one of the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club's proposed cross-country trail link development is to run alongside some of Queenstown's "gold-mining heritage", a move which has excited the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
While the club waits for permission to start track construction, it is seeking funding to begin linking Queenstown's scattered cross-country mountain bike trails by providing 13 additional sections, totalling 75km.
Club president Tom Hey said phase one consisted of three trails, totalling 16km, two of which take in "some fascinating gold-mining heritage along the side of Moke Lake Rd and near Lake Dispute".
"We have walked the proposed route with the Historic Places Trust and they are also excited by the trails, claiming that they would become the most concentrated heritage trails in the area," he said.
"These two trails, together with existing trails will create a user friendly one and a-half to two and a-half hour loop, with interpretation signs explaining the heritage of the area and passing by the beautiful back country lakes."
The club has applied for funding from groups such as the Community Trust of Southland.
Local rider volunteers and club fundraising would also help and R & R sports has offered staff time in construction.
Mr Hey said a club survey indicated the "overwhelming majority" of members wanted cross-country trail development, and it was one area that Queenstown lacked for cyclists.
"We feel that these proposed trails will fill the gap in between family and advanced, so that riders can get out into the spectacular back country ... and experience the real beauty Queenstown has."
