10 epic Beginner hikes in Canterbury, New Zealand
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. I’m sure there are more but these are ones I have hiked myself. 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. 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.
I’ve also included some beginner hiking tips and things to consider before heading out on the trails.
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.
First thing is that although these are beginner hikes, it doesn’t mean they’re super easy. The thing about tramping in New Zealand, and what I have found for the most part is that even on what would be classified as an easy track or beginner hike, there will always be some part of that track that ‘climbs steeply’ for a short time rather than a long gradual uphill. That just seems to be the nature of the tracks in Canterbury. The good thing is that the uphill does not last forever and there are plenty of spots to catch your breath and take a break.
I have included how long it takes for each track. This time depends on fitness level and may be different for everyone. I have based it on what the Department of Conservation estimates as an average time for each track. I’ve also used the words tramping and hiking interchangeably. After all, I am still Canadian 😛
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.
*I have a day hike packing list in the resource library for you to download. Just subscribe to the blog and the password will be on your welcome email :)*
Hikes in Canterbury #1: 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. There’s 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.
Hikes in Canterbury #2: 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 challenging 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. Look out for tree routes especially at the beginning of the hike. 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 summit.
The scenery at the top are amazing with 360° views over the Craigieburn area. Trekking poles would be useful especially for the last push to the summit. This track does climb 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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #3: 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 path 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. It is a little bit longer than the other tracks so it’s a good one to move too if you’re looking for that distance mixed with a bit of up and down. This is also the perfect hike to do for your first overnighter. The hut is beautiful with running water, fire and an outhouse. Certainly considered more luxurious than other backcountry huts. Hut passes need to be booked with the online booking system. You can find more about hiking to Woolshed Creek Hut 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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #4: 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. The hut can fill up fast as it only has 6 beds. This track though can easily be done in a day. Another great hike to graduate to as your fitness builds up!
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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #5: 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 taking trampers through the first bit of forest. Then up the 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. I can’t say it’s the prettiest part of the track but before you know it you’ll be past it. There aren’t any particularly long hard steep parts on this track more just a lot of up and down. The track is also 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 basically just 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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #6: 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 really your typical hiking track. You wouldn’t necessarily even need hiking boots, good shoes would do. It’s not uncommon to see people running or biking this track either. 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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #7: 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.
This 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.
Hikes in canterbury #8: 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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #9: 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 and 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. Again 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 birds.
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.
HIKES IN CANTERBURY #10: 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 a 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.
remember!
- Share the trail! These are popular tracks so be sure to give people space when passing. Also, pick your rest spots out of the way of the trail
- Leave no trace! Take everything out that you brought in
- no need for music unless you have earphones
- say hello, be friendly and be kind 🙂
