I remember when I first started hiking or tramping as they call it here in New Zealand, I was always searching for easy tracks and beginner hikes in Canterbury. I was not at all ready for anything too steep or too long and just wanted to ease into the new hobby.
I’ve put together a list of 10 epic beginner hikes in Canterbury. These tracks lead to amazing views and are a great place to start if you’re wanting to get into hiking or are looking for an easier track to hike. These trails are suitable to tramp all year round but take extra care in winter as it may get a little bit slippery. Unless you’ve gone just after a low snowfall, these trails don’t tend to be covered in snow for too long.
Beginner hiking tips
There are a few things to consider before hitting the trails in Canterbury, or any hike for that matter especially if this is new territory for you.
Just because these are beginner hikes doesn’t mean they’re a walk in the park! One thing I’ve noticed about hiking in New Zealand—especially in Canterbury—is that even on easy or beginner-friendly tracks, there’s often at least one steep climb, rather than a long, gradual incline. It’s just the nature of the terrain here! The good news? These climbs are usually short, and there are plenty of scenic spots to pause, catch your breath, and soak in the views along the way.
I have included track times based on what the Department of Conservation estimates. However, how long it takes depends on fitness level and may be different for everyone.
A few other things to consider:
- Be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back
- Do what you’re comfortable with and don’t push yourself too fast or too hard
- Check the weather before you go
- Make sure you have enough water with you and pack the appropriate gear.
Trig M
370 m gain | 6.4 km return | 2-2.5 hour return | Dog friendly
Trig M track is a relatively short track, well marked with a nicely formed path and one of the best beginner hikes in Canterbury. There are two places you can start the track, one being Starvation Gully, the other at Coach Stream on the bottom of Porter’s Pass. The Coach Stream route is an extra 4.6 km round trip and is closed for lambing between October and November.
I suggest starting at the Starvation Gully trailhead. This track is open the entire way and the first 30-40 minutes is an uphill climb before hitting the ridgeline and becoming more undulating. You gain a lot of altitude in that first 40 minutes and is the hardest part of the track. Once you’ve passed that the rest of the walk is quite easy and the views are fantastic!
Top tip! This is a great spot to head up if you want to go for sunrise or sunset. The track is really well formed and open so it would be easy to navigate in the dark.
You can find more info about Trig M here.
How to get there
Starvation Gully trailhead is located off of SH 73 after Porter’s Pass. There is a layby lane on the left (if you’re heading from Christchurch). It should be easy to spot but if you’ve hit Lake Lyndon you’ve gone too far.
Helicopter Hill
456 m gain | 5.4 km return | 2.5 hour return | Dog friendly
Helicopter Hill is a great hike to do if you’re wanting more of a challenge going up hill. The track is mostly through the forest and can be made into a loop hike or a there and back hike. Starting at Mistletoe Flat Campground, the track climbs through Beech forest along a relatively well-formed path. The last 15 minutes of the track when you reach the track junction at Lyndon Saddle becomes quite rocky as it takes you up to the top of the hill.
The scenery at the top is amazing with 360° views over the Craigieburn area. Trekking poles would be useful especially for the last push to the summit. This track climbs quickly over a short period of time, but the overall time to hike isn’t that long. It is also a shared track with mountain bikers so be on the lookout!
Top tip! If you do want a longer walk, when you come down from the summit, take the Luge track at the Lyndon Saddle track junction. This will go down through the forest and join up with the access road which goes back to the car park. This track takes approximately 1 hour adding about half an hour than if you went down the way you came.
How to get there
Travelling from Christchurch on SH 73, there is a sign on the left to turn onto Broken River Skifield Road. This will take you to Mistletoe Flat campground where the track starts.
Woolshed Creek Hut
434 m gain | 6.4 km return | 2.5-3 hour return
Woolshed Creek hut via Miner’s track is an awesome beginner friendly and family hike. Although this goes down into the valley to the hut it can easily be done in a day. The track gradually climbs through beech forest following Woolshed creek. The track is well-formed and goes through what used to be the Blackburn mining site. Remnants from the mining days can be found on the track including a mine entrance.
The great thing about this track is as soon as you’re tired of going up, the track levels off. There are plenty of spots to sit down for a rest if needed and is great for your first overnighter. The hut is beautiful with running water, fire and long drop toilets. It is a bookable hut and can be booked online here: DOC’s booking system. Learn more about Woolshed Creek Hut here and how to prepare for your first overnight hike here.
How to get there
To get to the Woolshed creek car park, turn onto Ashburton Gorge road from SH 72 at Mt Somers. Follow the road for about 10km and turn right onto Jig Road. This is a gravel road which will lead to the carpark.
Bealey spur hut
584 m gain | 12 km return | 4-5 hour return
For a bit more of a challenging hike, distance and elevation wise, the track to Bealey Spur Hut is a great one to do. The very start of this track is a quick steep climb up Cloudesley Road. Don’t let that put you off though as the track flattens and climbs steadily in and out of beech forest passing by tarns, over boardwalks and along a ridge. Views of Arthur’s Pass and the Waimakariri River come into view on and off throughout the walk as well.
The vibrant green Bealey Spur hut is located in a clearing in the forest and is a small backcountry hut with an outhouse and a fire in the hut. This is a very popular in and back track, especially in the summertime.
If you want an added challenge, you can climb up the peak that you can see from the hut. It’s a uphill hike for about 45 minutes to an hour. The views are amazing from the top just be careful if you go in winter as the snow can get quite deep.
How to get there
Turn off of SH 73 Cloudesley Road. There is no parking at the end of the road but rather on the side of the road. You’ll see a space for parking. Be sure to not leave any valuables in your vehicle.
Packhorse Hut
290 m gain | 11.6 km return | 2.5-3 hour return
Packhorse hut located in Christchurch is an easier walk offering awesome views over the Banks Peninsula, Lyttleton Harbour, and over to the Southern Alps. There are a few different routes to get to the hut but the easiest is the Gebbies Pass track.
The track starts on a logging road and a path to the left (over the fence) which becomes visible not long after starting. Follow that path as the loggers may tell you to turn back and don’t want people walking on the road.
Once you come out of that path look for orange arrows to direct you where to go next. The track is undulating as it goes through the first bit of forest. It continues up the hillside hillside following the fenceline, into an area that has been logged, back into the forest and out into the open where the hut is.
The track can get quite slippery in places especially where it has been logged but there aren’t any particuluary long hard steep areas. The track is very exposed in areas and at the hut so be sure to take the appropriate gear with you.
There isn’t much of a carpark here but instead parking on the side of the road off of Gebbie’s Pass Road. The track is closed from August 8 to October 15 each year for lambing.
How to get there
Head onto Gebbie’s Pass Road and stop at the turn off to Summit Road. There will be a locked gate but you can park your car there or on the side of the road.
Rapaki track
268 m gain | 7 km return | 2 hour return
Located in the Port Hills, Christchurch, the Rapaki track is very popular one among locals and provides awesome views over Christchurch city, the Southern Alps and over the Banks Peninsula. This track is a well formed 4WD type track. It climbs, flattens out, and climbs again before hitting the top of the hill.
This track isn’t exactly a hiking track but, is still very good when you are first starting out. I recommend this track as one to do to build up your hiking fitness. It’s open the entire way so be sure to check the weather before you go! There are other tracks to explore once you get to the top as well if you want to do a bit more.
How to get there
The track starts right off of Rapaki road. It can sometimes be difficult to find parking.
Washpen Falls
280 m gain | 6.4 km return | 1.5-2 hour return
Washpen Falls is a beautiful track full of variety! From caves, a waterfall, a canyon, cliffs and a beautiful ridgeline that is a very popular track. This one gently climbs to the ridgeline flattening out in between through the forest and caves. The Canterbury plains come into view from the ridgeline and leave as you come down to the waterfall, Washpen Falls.
There s is a lovely 22 meter falls with a boardwalk around it for easy viewing. The rest of the track is gently undulating and makes for a nice easy walk with lots to look at and a few places to stop for a snack. This track does have an entry fee ($10 for adults, $5 for kids) as it does cross private land and the funds go towards track maintenance.
How to get there
Turn onto Washpen Falls Road from SH 77. There is a large mailbox at the end of the road with a sign. Follow the gravel road up to the shelter and start of the track.
Dog stream waterfall track
362 m gain | 7.8 km return | 2 hour return
The Dog stream waterfall track is a lovely bush walk to a 41-meter high waterfall. The flora and fauna in this area is lush, dense and so green! Instead of the challenging trek up to Mt Isobel, this track is a great option for an easier outing.
The track is up hill the entire way but most of it is a gentle uphill. It’s not until you come to the end does it get steeper for a short period of time until you hit the waterfall. There are some spots where you’ll need to skip over rocks in the stream or take extra care with your footing over the rooted path.
How to get there
From Hanmer Springs travel north-east along Jollies Pass Road. Turn left onto McIntyre Rd and follow it for the next 1.5km. Veer left onto Mullans Rd and follow it until you reach the Hanmer Forest Park car park. From here there will be signs for the track.
Kea Point Track
180 m gain | 3 km return | 1 hour return
Kea Point track is probably one of the most stunning walks in the Canterbury region mainly because it is located in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park which is playground of mountains and epic scenery. It is not a particularly hard hike as it is quite short but you do gain a little bit of elevation. This is a good alternative to the more challenging Sealy Tarns.
The views from the lookout are incredible. On a clear day, Mt Cook is standing tall right in front of you, Mueller Lake below and sometimes you’ll hear the sound of avalanches on the nearby ranges. If you can, I suggest going up for sunrise to catch that golden light off the mountains. This is also a great time to see Kea!
If you want to make this a longer track you can start walking from the Mt Cook village rather than the campground to add an extra hour of flat walking.
How to get there
Starting from the Whitehorse hill campground at the end of Hooker Valley Road. Signs are posted for the trail. The beginning of the track is shared with the Sealy Tarns/Mueller hut track but the junction is clearly posted.
Mt John Summit track
311 m gain | 3 km return | 2-2.5 hour return
The Mt John Summit track is a fairly quick uphill walk to the summit of Mt John with 360° views over Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie region. You can make this a loop track or go back the way you came up. If you do the loop which goes down the other side of the mountain to the lake shore, it adds an extra hour on to your time.
I suggest starting the walk going up through the forest. It can be steep in some places but mostly a gradual climb. It takes about 45 minutes before you come out of the woods and into the open of grassland tussocks and amazing views. Don’t forget to keep looking around behind you as you walk as every which way there is something to see!
From there, follow the track to the junction where you have a choice to either go to the Astro cafe (which is a nice break) or continue on the south summit track. This track will bypass the cafe and continue on the loop to the side of the mountain and down to the lake.
How to get there
Trailhead starts near the Tekapo Springs parking lot. Look out for an entrance into the forest and there is a big DOC sign.
Hiking tips!
- Share the trail! These are popular tracks so be sure to give people space when passing.
- Pick your rest spots off the trail
- Leave no trace! Take everything out that you brought in
- Say hello, be friendly and be kind
