WELCOME
Serious horse trail circumnavigating Maniototo through stunning country with 360 views. 7-8 hour solid riding days with big climbs and off-track sections. Pass significant gold mining sites with stories and history. Half-week option (2.5 days) for serious trekkers, locals, farmers, hunters with very fit horses.
Duration
7 Days (or 2.5 half-week)
Date
1 March 2026
Difficulty
Serious/Challenging (7-8 hours daily)
Fitness
Solid 7-8 hours daily - serious trail
Experience Required
Must be prepared to dismount and lead down hills, serious trekking experience
Rider / Participant Cost:
$950pp ($490pp 1/2 day)
Back-up
Cost:
$915pp
WEATHER EXPECTATIONS
Variable mountain/basin weather
HIGHLIGHTS
Scenic Highlights
360-degree Maniototo basin views, Kakanui Mountains, Danseys Pass, Naseby gold country, Western Rim, Rock and Pillar Range, Historic gold mining sites
Special Events
Patearoa Station shindig,
Unique Features
Half-week option for serious riders only, Professional horse hire through Adventure Horse Treks : https://adventurehorsetrekking.co.nz/horse-treks/31st-goldfields-heritage-trust-cavalcade-2024/
TRAIL DETAILS
ALL YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR YOUR NEXT CAVALCADE ADVENTURE
Itinerary
SUPPORT LEVEL -
Fully supported
MEETING DATE & TIME :
1 March 2026
Afternoon
MEETING LOCATION :
Kyeburn area
RIDE OUT TIME :
Variable
RETURN TIME :
Variable (7-8 hour days)
TERRAIN :
Off-track riding, hill and valley sidling, steep ascents/descents via spurs and ridges
We will meet on Sunday afternoon in the Kyeburn area for an evening of catching our trail family and
friends, debriefing and welcoming new trail family members.
Monday will be a good climb up into the Kakanui Mountains looking down into the Danseys Pass
area where we will drop in for the night.
Tuesday will have us heading deep into gold country of Naseby.
Wednesday Thursday we will be traversing the Western Rim of the Maniototo while also passing
some significant gold mining sites of the past, where we will be heading for Patearoa Station, for a
bit of a shindig, before departing the Maniototo.
Friday morning climbing high up over the Rock and Pillar Range dropping down into the
Middlemarch Valley, getting near our final destination for Saturdays celebrations.
Important Information:
ACCOMMODATION:
TBC
Waterproof coat/jacket/leggings/hat, Jersey/balaclava/socks/longjohns/gloves, Hot weather gear, Swimming gear
CATERING:
TBC
HORSE REQUIREMENTS:
Very fit, well-shod, good capability, well-behaved for difficult terrain
PACKING LIST:
CLOTHING
Waterproof coat/jacket/leggings/hat, Jersey/balaclava/socks/longjohns/gloves, Hot weather gear, Swimming gear
OTHER ESSENTIALS
Horse (very fit, well-shod for half-week option)
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Half-week option available (2.5 days from Wednesday evening)
VEHICLE TRANSFER:
Option to have vehicle ferried from starting point to Middlemarch (in one shift, you will not have access to your vehicleor float until you get back to Middlemarch) $95