Woolshed Creek Circuit
Grade: Moderate
Starting at the Jig Rd carpark we will set off up the Rhyolite Track, then at the junction turn off on the track towards the picturesque Bus Stop rock overhang. Descend to Woolshed Creek for lunch. There are two options to return, both offering impressive views and some interesting relics of the coal mining days.
Big River, West Coast
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Leave early Saturday from Chch or Friday night to Reefton . Decision to be discussed once attendance is known. Big River Hut has to be booked with DOC to stay there. Walk out and return home on Sunday.
Bealy Spur APNP
Grade: Easy-Moderate
A gradual climb through beech forest and open tussock with tarns to the Bealey Top Hut (5 hours return) and possibly further on a good day to the alpine tops (6 hours return).
Pinnacles Hut
Grade: Moderate
Our walk begins at the Sharplin Falls carpark. The climb to Dukes Knob takes approximately an hour with lunch at the Pinnacles Hut. Returning the same way. Expect a 6-7hr day.
Huxley Forks Hut
Grade: Moderate
Saturday to Huxley Forks Hut. Sunday is a day trip up to the South Huxley Biv and back to Forks Hut. Monday back the same way and drive back to Christchurch.
Bob's Knob
Grade: Moderate
Bob’s Knob is on the ridge to the SE of the Kowai River near Porters Pass. Soon after the carpark we will cross the Kowai River and climb the ridge to Bob’s Knob. Traverse along the ridge and down to the hut in the valley and return to cars.
Reiter Park (Port Hills)
Grade: Easy
A little known track and park on the Port Hills that joins with other main tracks in this area. Bring lunch but a shorter day than most other day trips.
Able Tasman Inland Track
Grade: Moderate
From Marahau this 3 day track heads inland and uphill to castle rocks and along Evans Ridge. Likely to exit at Totaranui so we can return by water taxi. 1 days travel each way
Black Hill (Rakaia)
Grade: Hard
Drive to south side of the Rakaia River. We will tramp up to Turtons Saddle on the Te Araroa. From the track we will climb up a spur to the top of Black Hill, 2067m. Return the same way.
Wheel Creek Hut, Victoria FP
Grade: Moderate
Wheel Creek Hut is a six-bunk basic hut located in the Victoria Forest Park. (The hut has recently had some major renovation work). The track follows Wheel Creek for 5 to 6 hours from the road end to the hut.
Mt Grey and Red Beech Loop
Grade: Moderate
A steady climb through native bush and small areas of pine forest before opening out on to tussock slopes leading to the trig on the summit of Mt Grey. Amazing views.
Doubtful Valley
Grade:Moderate
Apart from river crossing a moderately easy valley trip in beautiful Lewis Pass area. 6 bed hut only so tents suggested. Start time and place to be confirmed at time.
Saddle Hill
Grade:
Day tramp to Saddle Hill on Banks peninsula
Rakaia Gorge Loop
Grade: Easy
A round trip through on the Rakaia Gorge track with a transit through Terrace Downs. We might stop for a refreshing drink at the Terrace Downs Restaurant.
Hogsback
Grade: Easy- Moderate
Hike from Castle Village on the walking/MTB track to Texas Flat. We have lunch and return taking a slightly longer route back. There are amazing 360 views on an awesome day.
Libretto Range
Grade: Hard
Starting from the Bolye, a 4 day traverse of the Libretto range (Faust, Mt Lucia, Mephistopheles, Trovatore, Travers Peaks) and out to the Lewis Pass via Zampa tops.
Conical Knoll
Grade: Easy
Easy day trip along the Dry Acheron Track near Lake Coleridge. Across farmland and riverbed possibly a bit of a climb at the end to get a view then back the same way.
Port levey Saddle to Montgomery Park
Grade: Moderate
A traverse from the saddle to Montgomery Park (Hilltop). If sufficient numbers we will walk in two groups, one from each end.
Lewis Tops & Brass Monkey Biv
Grade: Moderate
Much of this trip is above the bushline in tussock-filled basins with tarns and stunning views. Some steep and rocky sections. Several possible choices of route, to be decided according to the party and conditions.
Mt Richardson Loop
Grade: Moderate
We drive to Glentui and climb Mt Richardson. Then along the ridge to the Bypass Track to return to the cars.
Barnett park, Sumner
Grade: Easy
Meet at the Barnett Park car park and walk firstly to the cave, then along to the Crater Rim Track. We will visit the gun emplacements before Captain Thomas Track down to Sumner. A flat walk back to the cars along the coast.
Griffin Creek
Grade: Moderate
Starting from the Harrington Road bridge (West Coast) it is a steep climb to the bushline then a steep descent down a side ridge to the basin below. Then walk/boulder-hop up Griffin Creek crossing 7 times.
Diamond Harbour - Purau Bay - Charteris Bay loop
Grade: Easy - Moderate
Start at Diamond Harbour, walk to Purau Bay round the coast then over the top behind
Diamond Harbour and drop down to the coastal track at Charteris Bay to return to the ferry.
Tim's stream - Hogsback Circuit
Grade: Moderate
From the bridge on the Mt Chessman ski field road, we will get down to the river bed and walk up Tims Stream crossing and recrossing it to just before waterfalls.
Then, we will scramble up a short steep bank to the terrace and walk along the edge.
Minga / Goat Pass hut
Grade: Moderate
A 3-4 hour walk over mixed terrain. Return by the same route. Option to visit Lake Mavis after lunch for keen trampers.
Mt Lyndon & Cloudy Hill
Grade: Moderate
We leave the cars at Lake Lyndon. A round-trip climb and ridge traverse across Mt Lyndon and Cloudy Hill.
Heathcote Quarry & John Britten Reserve
Grade: Easy
From Bridle Path Rd a steep climb to the top of the ridge and John Britten Reserve. Round trip via Bridle Path or a longer option via Castle Rock to be decided on the day.
Avon River Trail
Grade: Easy
An easy but lovely walk from the city to New Brighton (10 kms.) Meet at the corner of Barbadoes and Salisbury Streets at 9am. Return by bus or walk back the same way.
Camp Saddle Circuit
Grade: Moderate
Start from the beginning of the Mistletoe Track. From the Lyndon Saddle go along the Craigieburn Edge Track & up a slope to Camp Saddle. Return to Lyndon Saddle via a ridge track & a good scree slope, then back to the cars.
Tarns above Cass saddle
Grade: Moderate - Hard
Walk up the Cass River to Cass Saddle, then up a spur and drop down to follow the creek up to the Tarns. Great views from the top. The next day along the tops of Black Range to tent by the tarn before Mt Misery.
Red Hill
Grade: Moderate
Starting from the Porter Heights skifield road we will follow the Porter River up to Coleridge Saddle and the ridgeline along to Red Hill. A steady climb with rewarding views of the Lake Coleridge Basin.
Otehake Hot Springs
Grade: Moderate
A tramp of 5-6 hours of mixed terrain. The hot spring is one of the best around nestled in a side stream close to the bush edge. Two large river crossings are required so good weather will be essential. Good camping right by the spring.
Mt Barrosa
Grade: Moderate
We will take a trip up Mt Barrosa to the summit where we can scout for some agate geodes and hopefully get a good view across the Hakatere Conservation Park. Returning the same way. (Note departure is from Templeton)
Tupari Reserve to Packhorse Hut
Grade: Easy
We will walk the new track (opened Jan 2026) through the Tupari reserve to the Packhorse hut. Depending on the group there are options to climb Mt Bradley (would make this a moderate tramp) or just climb to point 570m.
Poulter hut and Lake Minchin
Grade: Moderate
Day 1: Starting from the Andrews Stream the track to the Poulter Hut once over the Casey saddle is flat river valley, approx. 8 hrs to the hut. Day 2: Lake Minchin /Worsley biv, then 3 hrs back to the Casey Hut for the night. Day 3 Walk back to the car park via Binser Saddle.
Coach Stream and Trig M
Grade: Moderate
Korowai Torlesse Forest Park. Take the Coach Stream route to Trig M. Can return the same way of do a partial loop. Lovely views and a bit of huff and puff!
Gondola to Sumner
Grade: Easy - Moderate
A longish trip - this section of the 360 Trail is 16.5km. We start on the track from 160 Port Hills Road up to the Crater Rim, go along along to Evans Pass, take the Captain Thomas track down into Sumner and catch a bus along to the Bridle Pass Rd turnoff from where it is about 1.5 km pleasant walk back to the cars.
Lake Daniels MidWinter Xmas
Grade: Easy
We will be tramping to Lake Daniels to stay at the Hut to celebrate a Midwinter Christmas with the usual Potluck dinner. A flat easy tramp of about 3 hours with an additional walk to the end of the lake if the weather is good.
Leith Hill to Castle Rocks
Grade: Moderate
Hogsback carpark (Castle Hill village) to Castle Rocks carpark via Leith hill and the ridge beyond. Permission from the station is required to confirm this route.
Ryde Falls from Coopers Creek
Grade: Easy
A well-formed track, mostly in the bush to the pretty and surprisingly high Ryde Falls. We will make a loop using the Korimako track, a short section of the Wharfedale and the Link track to return to the junction of the Ryde Falls track. A 16.5 km round trip.
No Trip planned
Grade:
Carlyle Hut
Grade: Moderate
A lovely 8-bunk hut set in the bush, with a chance to spot Kakariki. Due to this being a winter trip bring warm clothes, and tents & if you like, a hot water bottle. No hut ticket required.
Hog's Back Track
Grade: Moderate
The track starts at Castle Hill Village. Hike from Castle Village on the walking/MTB track to Texas Flat. We will have lunch and return taking a slightly longer route back.
Mt Totara / Mt Oldham Circuit
Grade: Moderate
Note: Change of Tramp From the Mt Cass rd, head up a grassy track and along a limestone ridge to the summit of Mt Totara for stunning 360o views of Canterbury. Continue along the ridge to Mt Oldham and back down to the farm track.
Quail Is Planting
Grade: Easy
A day of planting trees and shrubs on Quail Island. The ferry from Lyttelton is free. Tools will be provided, but you might want to bring gardening gloves. Maximum 12 people.
New Ashley Gorge (Skyline) Loop Track
Grade: Moderate
NOTE: Change of date The walk starts from the Ashley Gorge bridge. Expect a good grunt and rugged, narrow, unformed but marked track which could be slippery and muddy. We will be rewarded with flat, wide tops and 360° views.
Anti-Crow Hut
Grade: Moderate
Starting by the Waimakariri Bridge we will take O’Malley’s track through the bush above the bluffs and then descend to the Waimakariri riverbed. There is a crossing of Jordan Stream, some rough stones, then a marked route across the grassy flats.
Tiromoana (near Waipara)
Grade: Easy
The Tiromoana Bush Walkway is a great way to experience a regenerating native forest complete with ponds, wetlands and native birds. The Walkway traverses through open farmland & forest to the beach and back.
Waiau hut (via Maling Pass)
Grade: Moderate
We will walk over Maling Pass to this 6-bunk standard hut. There is a crossing of the Waiau River so you may want to take a change of footwear.
Camp Saddle Circuit
Grade: Moderate
Start from the beginning of the Mistletoe Track. From the Lyndon Saddle we will go along the Craigieburn Edge Track & up to Camp Saddle. Return to Lyndon Saddle via a ridge track & a good scree slope, then back to the cars.
Otehake Hot Springs
Grade: Moderate
A tramp of 5-6 hours of mixed terrain. The hot spring is one of the best around, nestled in a side stream close to the bush edge. Good camping right by the spring. Two large river crossings are required so good weather will be essential.
Redcliffe stream & Rat Hill
Grade: Moderate
Rat Hill is up the south side of the Rakaia River. It’s a 1000m climb from the road to the top of Rat Hill. There should be good views of the back of Mt Hutt.