Hurunui & Hanmer Springs Walks
Enjoy pleasant river walks, coastal tracks, forest and mountain trails ranging from short half hour jaunts to longer half and full-day tramps through spectacular wilderness landscapes within the Hurunui district including the Hurunui High Country, Lewis Pass, Cheviot Hills and Hanmer Springs Forests.
Grey River Nature Trail - Amberley
A loop-trail ideal for families through diverse native bush.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
1 hour return.
Start location:
Northern end of Grey River Picnic Area (west of Amberley township).
Mount Grey (Maukatere) Track - Amberley
The track climbs steadily through native bush and areas of pine with superb panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains.
Walk level:
Walking and Tramping Track
Duration of walk:
2–3 hours one way.
Start location:
The north end of the Grey River Picnic area (west of Amberley township).
Red Beech Route - Amberley
Enjoy tussock grasslands, red beech and mountain beech with the track finishing at the Grey River Picnic Area.
Walk level:
Walking and Tramping Track
Duration of walk:
3–4 hours one way (downhill)
Start location:
Summit of Mt Grey (west of Amberley township)
Conical Hill Walk - Hanmer Springs
Walk through mature exotic plantations (100 years old approx). Enjoy magnificent views from the lookout shelter at the top.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short Walk
Duration of walk:
One hour return – moderate walk.
Start location:
End of Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs.
Woodland Walk – Hanmer Springs
The track is suitable for families passing through woodland with streams, flax wetlands and ponds.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short Walk
Duration of walk:
One hour return – easy walk.
Start location:
Accessed from Torquay Terrace or Jollies Pass Road car park.
Fir Trail – Hanmer Springs
Passes through magnificent areas of European larch and Douglas fir. This track can be connected to make a circuit with the Waterfall and Spur Tracks.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
45 minutes return – moderate walk.
Start location:
The Waterfall car park.
Forest Amble - Hanmer Springs
Marvel at some of the oldest stands in the Hanmer Basin. View European larch planted in 1904
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
30 minutes – easy walk
Start location:
Begin and finish at the Herman’s Avenue gate opposite the car park on Jollies Pass Road.
Forest Walk – Hanmer Springs
Exotic conifers and broadleaf species, understoreys of sycamore, oak silver birch and rowan. See wild fungi in autumn and native orchids in late spring.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
1 hour – easy walk.
Start location:
Begin and finish at the Herman’s Avenue gate opposite the car park on Jollies Pass Road.
Forest Journey - Hanmer Springs
View Macrocarpa planted in 1927 as well as cedar, cypress and redwood trees.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
1 ¼ hours – moderate walk.
Start location:
Begin and finish at the Herman’s Avenue gate opposite the car park on Jollies Pass Road.
Māori Rock Drawings (Weka Pass Walkway) - Waikari
Enjoy amazing views. This walk is closed August to October due to farming activities.
Walk level:
Easy: Walking Track
Duration of walk:
90 minutes return.
Start location:
Village walkway rest stop.
The Plane Table - Waikari
Mountains and geographical features are engraved on a plaque for easy reference
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
15 minute hill climb.
Start location:
Start on fence line along Village Walkway.
Mt Cass Walkway - Waipara
A well formed track with stunning views.
Walk level:
Walking track
Duration of walk:
3 hours return (approx).
Start location:
starts from the car parking area 3.3km from State Highway 1.
St James - Fowlers Pass Track (Hanmer Springs)
Fowlers Hut on Tophouse Road is a historic rabbiters hut. See a section of the original 1880s rabbit exclusion fence on this hike.
Walk level:
Advanced Tramping Track
Duration of walk:
5hr, 30 mins (walking times only) – 16km.
Start location:
Tophouse Road.
Amberley Beach Walkway
A wheelchair and pushchair friendly track close to the beach. This track is suitable for all ages.
Walk level:
Easy access: short walk
Duration of walk:
20 minutes.
Start location:
Begins left hand side along Golf Links Road, Amberley Beach.
Kowai River Walk - Leithfield
Enjoy plenty of bird life on this attractive and locally made walk with views of the coastal lagoon and beach spit.
Walk level:
Walking track
Duration of walk:
2-3 hours return if including Leithfield Beach car park.
Start location:
Beside the Kowai River Bridge, Leithfield (35kms from Christchurch).
Gore Bay Reserve & The Cathedrals
Amazing views of eroded siltstone pillars, called The Cathedrals as well as Gore Bay and the ocean. If you're lucky you also might see fantails.
Walk level:
Short walk
Duration of walk:
1 hour.
Start location:
Track starts and ends by the Gore Bay batches and is well signposted.
Waterfall Trail - Hanmer Springs
Mountain beech forest with the spectacular 41 metre high Dog Stream Waterfall. Lots of mosses, ferns, lichens and native orchids on this walk.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration of walk:
2 ½ hours return – moderate tramp.
Start location:
Car park at the end of McIntyre Road.
Spur Track - Hanmer Springs
Alternative route back from the Dog Stream Waterfall with views of Hanmer Basin and sub alpine plants and plantation forest
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration of walk:
3 hours return (including Waterfall Track).
Start location:
Begin 15 minutes before the Dog Stream Waterfall.
Chatterton River Track - Hanmer Springs
Follows Chatterton River to an old stock route with great views o the Hanmer Basin near the top. This track is suitable for mountain bikes.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration of walk:
2 ½ hours return (to Jacks Pass) – moderate tramp.
Start location:
end of Chatterton Road.
The Rutherford Reserve Walkway - Culverden
View Dr Little's Memorial and surrounding hills.
Walk level:
Short walk
Duration of walk:
30 minutes - 1km.
Start location:
Car park in Culverden township, just off SH7.
Majuba Walk - Hanmer Springs
Connects to Conical Hill walk and Woodland walk. The circuit is close to the village with the track travelling through Douglas fir.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
20 minutes one way – moderate walk.
Start location:
part way up Conical Hill, Hanmer Springs.
Dog Stream Reserve - Hanmer Springs
This track meanders through alder, sycamore and willow trees and is suitable for pushchairs.
Walk level:
Easiest: Short walk
Duration of walk:
30 minutes one way – easy walk.
Start location:
Access points from Jollies Pass Road, Cheltenham Street, Bath Street and Fraser Close.
Hanmer Springs Village Walkways
Queen Mary Circular Walk (Red markers)
Grand Triangle Walk (Yellow markers)
Chisholm - Dog Stream walk (Green markers)
Conical Hill - Larch Walk (Brown markers)
Duration of walk:
Varies from track to track.
Start location:
All four walks start from the "Banana House" on the Village Green.
Waikari Village Walkway
Follows the old rail line overlooking houses and rolling paddocks. 2½ km long, wide track allows for walkers of all ages and abilities, stunning views of the mountains are guaranteed.
Duration of walk:
30 – 45 minutes.
Start location:
State Highway 7 opposite the Weka Pass Railway station.
Village Green Loops - Waikari
Walk through some of the old rail line and along local roads. Enjoy stunning views. The track is suitable for all age groups.
Duration of walk:
Varies.
Start location:
Opposite the village walkway on Princes Street.
