All trails lead to Cromwell next Saturday to mark a milestone in the history of the cavalcade, which re-enacts the route taken by gold miners who sought their fortune in Central Otago.
More than 500 riders, wagoners and walkers will be trekking across Southland and Otago in this year's "Dusty Trails to Cromwell" event, which is the 20th one staged by the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust.
Most of the riders get together today and head out on the trail tomorrow , as do the wagoners, while those completing the trail on "Shanks' Pony" start out on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
"People just rave about the cavalcade - the scenery, the camaraderie, everything about it, " co-ordinator Terry Davis said.
Thirteen trails, starting in different areas, will wend their way across the high country this year - six riding trails, two wagon trails, four walking trails, and one 4WD trail.
The latter is a special option for this year, to mark the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold in Central Otago. It involves three individual day trips to Bannockburn, Nevis and Bendigo.
"These will take in mining sites and short walks to sites of interest, and are specially suited to those cavalcaders who are no longer able to walk or ride the trails, " Mr Davis said.
Eight people will be taking part in their 20th successive cavalcade and their dedication to the event will be recognised.
Cavalcaders this year are from all over New Zealand. A few Australians and Americans are also taking part.
"There's a couple coming from America - it's their first time, but they met a cavalcader in the States who told them all about it and raved so much about how good it was that they signed up for it," Mr Davis said.
The first cavalcade was held in 1991, the idea of then-Clyde restaurateur Fleur Sullivan. Ms Sullivan, now of Moeraki, will be one of the special guests in the grand parade as the cavalcade arrives in Cromwell next Saturday.
It was held to retrace the journey of the first Cobb and Co coach to travel from Dunedin to the Dunstan gold fields, via the Dunstan Trail, on November 22, 1862. More than 220 people took part in the first cavalcade, which also had Cromwell as its destination.
Since then, the event has been staged nearly every year - with the exception of one year, when the fire risk was deemed to be too high, and another year, when the date changed from November to February/March.
Cavalcaders were an easy-going lot, who did not mind a bit of rough weather on their trek, Mr Davis said.
"In fact, they're disappointed if there's not a bit of snow or hail. The worse the weather, the greater the adventure."
Two trail bosses, Murray MacMillan and Edgar Parcell, had come "out of retirement" to be involved in this year's cavalcade, as it was finishing in their home town, he said.
The host town committee plays an important role and a swag of events have been planned to welcome the cavalcaders and supporters to the Cromwell racecourse.
A family fun day, including a Top Team competition, is all part of the entertainment, followed by a hoedown that evening.
