Tracks & Trails in Heathcote Valley
Bridle Path
The Bridle Path was originally formed in 1850 as a route for the Canterbury Association settlers to reach the new settlement of Christchurch. The path was too steep to ride horses all the way, so riders had to dismount and lead their horses by the bridle over the steepest parts, hence the name.
The track is a 2.4 km long walk that ascends to the 333 metres (1,093 ft) high summit. From the Heathcote end, the track starts near the Gondola car park and finishes in Lyttelton. At the Lyttelton end the path turns info a sealed road (Bridle Path Road) that joins the west end of London Street, which is Lyttelton's main street.
It takes about an hour to walk in one direction. Some people go as far as the Summit Road, then return to Heathcote, rather than going the full distance to Lyttelton. Or, if you make it to Lyttelton but are not up to making the return trip, then the No. 28 bus connects at both ends.
The route is quite steep, particularly near the top, so a reasonable level of fitness is essential. You'll need good footwear too. Once you reach the sumnit the views are magnificient.
The path is well formed and maintained. It is a shared use path, suitable for mountain bikes as well as walkers. Bikers must give way to walkers and should take care on the steep downhill sections. The Bridle Path is a legal road so in theory can be used by motor vehicles, however this is strongly discouraged.
There is little shelter along the route, so take warm clothing if the weather is cooler, or slap on the sun block in summer. Even in summer, the exposed northern side often catches a bitter easterly wind, so an extra layer of clothing you can put on if needed is advised.
At the summit there is a stone shelter which is the Canterbury Pioneer Women's Memorial. It commemorates the pioneer women of Canterbury and was erected in 1940, 90 years after the first four ships bringing settlers arrived at Lyttelton.
Along the route there are a total of seven commemorative stone seats where you can stop to catch your breath and take in the view and fresh air. Most of these seats were built for the Canterbury centenary celebrations in 1950.
The Bridle Path is a very popular walk, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, including many travellers from overseas.
Makutu Lakes loop track
The Matuku Lakes are artificial lakes designed for flood retention. They are located adjacent to Ferrymead Park. The surrounding area is enhanced by native plantings and there is a small network of tracks to explore. Those around the periphery form the loop track, but you can take other routes to modify your walk.
There are several entry points to the tracks. There is a car park at the Ferrymead Park, and another on Truscotts Road opposite the Ferrymead Heritage Park. There is another small car park further along Trustcotts Road to the south. Locals will usually travel by foot from home as the lakes are only a short distance from where most people live. There is a linking track to Deavoll Place and Cooks Lane. The new Heathcote Expressway cycleway passses right by at Truscotts Road.
The tracks are level and well maintained, though some areas can become muddy in poor weather. They are popular with dog walkers and cyclists, so be please be respectful of others along the way. Dogs need to be on a leash as there are plenty of vulnerable birds around, as well as a few rabbits across in the horse paddocks.
Ōpāwaho River Track
The Ōpāwaho River Track follows the south bank of the lower reaches of the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote River. The track starts at Ferrymead Park and finishes at Tunnel Road. It is a gravel track of flat grade, and an easy walk, taking about 20 minutes each way. The track is suitable for both walking and mountain bikes, but please no motor cycles or trail bikes. Cyclists should be on the watch for walkers along the narrow portions of the track. Public toilets and fresh drinking water are avalable in Ferrymead Park.
Near the Ferrymead Park end, just past the golf course, you will notice mudflats to your right, which are part of the tidal estuary that is home to a wide variety of birds. You might encounter godwits (kūaka), pied stilts, spoonbills (kōtuku ngutupapa), oystercatchers (tōrea) and white heron (kōtuku), as well as a few inevitable seagulls. Many of these birds nest in the area so please take care to stay on the track and so as not to disturb them.
About half way along, near a bend in the river once called 'Devil's Elbow' due to the difficulty navigating boats in the early days, there are some rope swings attached to the trees, which young people will enjoy (and maybe a few older persons as well). Just past here, on the left is the lizard sanctuary. It's hard to spot but nice to know it's there.
As you progress along the track you will find horses grazing in the paddocks to your left. You may also see them being fed, groomed and exercised. Be aware that horses are sometimes ridden along the track. In the horse paddocks you are likely to see pūkeko (pākura) also known as swamp hens, with their bright blue/violet breasts and black wings.
There used to be a number of old, knarly pine trees along the western part of the track but these have recently been felled. In their place you will find approximalty 12,000 new natives have been planted, including marsh ribbonwood, mingimingi, mānuka, kānuka, tōtara and ake ake. This project aims to establish a restored corridor of indigenous vegetation along the Ōpāwaho River Track.
Much of the area along the river side of the track is saltmarsh, and work over recent years, particularly near the Tunnel Road end of the track, has been undertaken to establish vegatation which is suitable for this type of area.
Most people will walk the track in both directions as pedestrians are not permitted along Tunnel Road to go back to Heathcote. There is an entrance at the Tunnel Road end of the track, so if you prefer to start from this end there is space to park your car beside the road.
Duncan Park Walkway
Duncan Park Walkway is a 2.1Km loop track that traverses the spur to the east of the pony club. Access is via the bridge opposite Bidfoods on Port Hills Road (slightly east of Chapmans Road). There is a small car parking area.
Duncan Park was gifted to the city for use as a public reserve by Mary Duncan on her death in 1947. The Duncan family were some of the first Europeans to farm in the Heathcote Valley.
This is a very pleasant walk at any time of the year and takes around 40 minutes. In recent years much work has been done to eradicate wild gorse and revegitate with natives. On a fine day you will enjoy some good views and be treated to birdsong along the way.
If you start from the signposted entry, you will traverse the track in a clockwise direction, crossing the ridge of the spur at the top, before descending through native bush on the Avoca Valley side. The last stretch is through the pony club grounds and you will rejoin Port Hills Road at the pony club driveway.
The trail is described as 'moderately challenging' reaching an elevation of around 390m. It can be a little steep in places but is well formed and easy going for anyone of average fitness. Near the top there are links that go up the ridge line and higher up the hill into the Linda Woods Reserve if you want to go further.
Morgan's Valley Tracks
- There are sereral tracks to explore in Morgan's Valley area. A warning though, not all are maintained and there is some earhquake damage and rockfall risk to be aware of. However the area is ripe for exploring by the more adventurous. The Morgan's Valley area is rich in birdlife and grouse, pheasant, piwakawaka and harriers are regularly seen, and every now and then kererū.
- Starting at the bottom of Morgans Valley there is a shingle path between five rocks and some trees. Follow this track crossing the right of way and up until you reach the farm gate. Once through the gate if you turn left and follow the trail it will lead to the Quarry Track. If you choose to go down it will lead to Bridle Path Road. If you choose to continue further up you will reach the Kenton Track which you can follow to Britten Reserve. The Kenton Track also meets the top of the Baa Baa Track which will drop back into Morgans Valley.
- If you choose to keep going up after about 100 meters you will come to a stile on your right. his is the start of the Beer Bum Track, a switchback track that will lead to the Field of Dreams Track behind the water tanks, and if you follow it to the end it leads to Morgans track at the top.
- To the left of the stile is the start of the Baa Baa track which crosses the Morgan’s Track and heads up to the Kenton Track, The Morgan’s Track is the old farm track that runs around the tree line of Morgans Valley. You can follow it all the way to the Bridle Path track and almost all of the Morgans Valley tracks intersect with it.
- At the very top of the road in Morgans Valley, in what was number 54, there is a gully that comes down to a drain, the original track goes straight up and at fence-line turns to the right and follows to the stile. Cross this and then follow the Ribbon Ridge track, Heathcote's answer to Lava track all the way to the Summit Road.
- Another track in this area was created to establish the native planting for the Tui corridor. A new track was cut to allow ease of access to plant the natives. This track is called the Tree Hut track. It starts at the same place as the Ribbon Ridge track but is a zig zag up the gully rather than a straight grind.
- The Field of Dreams track runs along the fence-line between the Tree Hut track and the Beer Bum track, there are two side tracks off it - one will bring you out on one of the old roads and the other one connects with the track behind the water tank which will lead to the Beer Bum track.
- You can also climb over the white fence by the eucalyptus trees by the Heathcote gun club. This is part of Birdsey reserve, if you follow this trail up it will lead to the Morgan's Track. There are also other tracks that come off this trail all of them lead to Morgan's Track.
- Some very important points to note if you are exploring up there, whether it be running, walking or mountain biking:
- Some of these are closed council tracks. They are no longer maintained due to rockfall hazards. There are under runners where the hill runoff puts holes in the track and then the grass grows around them. Traverse at your own risk.
- The upper land above the tree line is leased to a farmer so there will be stock on it for most of the year. Please leave gates closed and keep your dogs on leashes especially during lambing season.
Linda Woods Reserve
Previously named Tussock Hill Farm, the Linda Woods Reserve is located between the Avoca and Horotane Valleys and covers an area of 233ha. It is being developed into an open space reserve for the public to enjoy. The old name describes the area very well - it is extensivly tussock and grassland though work is under way to re-establish native vegetation. There is also extensive predator control work happening.
The Linda Woods Reserve is owned and administerd by the Summit Road Society. The Summit Road Society (Inc.) was formed in 1948 and aims to further the vision of Harry Ell by working to enhance, preserve and protect the nature, beauty and open character of the hills of Banks Peninsula for people to enjoy.
There is a network of tracks in the reserve. Many are steep and can be slippery when wet, but most are well within the capabilities of a seasoned walker. Since the 2011 earthquakes there has been some increased risk of rockfall. Be sure to prepare for the conditions as there is little to no shelter: sunscreen for hot summer days, and warm clothing in the winter. The area can be exposed to the wind and walkers should be ready for changes in the weather. There is no fresh water and no toilets. Dogs are permitted in the reserve, but must be kept on a leash at all times.
The reserve can be accessed from Rāpaki Track, Duncan Park, Horotane Valley Road and the Bridle Path.
Heathcote Valley Mountain Biking
Near to the carparks on Truscotts Road, opposite Ferrymead Heritage Park, you will find the Heathcote Valley Mountain Biking course. This is a purpose built course for riders of all abilities to practice their skills. Championed by local man Grant Brokenshire, healped by a small band of enthusiastic workers, the Heathcote Valley Mountain Biking (HVMB) skills-park now has a variety of jumps, rails, berms, tabletops and rollers as well as a pump track.
The park is much more than just a pile of dirt with bike tracks across it - the team have planted more than 1000 natives which, in time, will add to the appeal of the area. This will be an amenity for generations to come.
Keen on mountain biking? Head on down and give it a go!
Rock Climbing
There are a number of good rock climbing destinations on the hills above Heathcote Valley. Here are a few of the more popular ones:
Castle Rock (Te Tihi o Kahukura)
ClimbNZ describes Castle Rock as "a prominent volcanic feature with classic, airy routes. Solid rock, good climbs in most grades and easy access made Castle Rock Christchurch’s most popular crag until the 2011 earthquake." (They note: the earthquake caused major damage to this crag. There has been major rockfall and many loose blocks remain. Please take appropriate care.)
You can find somewhere sheltered to climb on most days.Undoubtedly the crag with the longest tradition of climbing in Canterbury, Castle Rock is handily located just above the Heathcote valley. It offers a good mix of traditionally protected routes up to about grade 24, and even a few bolt-protected harder routes.
Cattlestop Crag
Located on the town side of the Port Hills overlooking Heathcote Valley the crag has a pleasant outlook with lots flat ground at the base of the climbs. From Mt Pleasant / Heathcote go up to Mt Pleasant to the Summit Rd & turn R drive along the top of the crag, over the cattle stop & downhill slightly to a large parking area on the L of the road. Cross go down some steps and contour along under the crag.
Mt Pleasant / Scotts Valley Reserve
This is the area above Morgan's Valley and Birdsey Reserve, overlooking Heathcote Valley. Drive up Mt Pleasant Road and turn into Longridge Drive. Park at the bend opposite the John Britten Reserve entrance and walk for two minutes to the north end of the Left Cliff, immediately below a power pylon, about 50 metres from the road. The Right Cliff can be reached in about ten minutes’ walk from the crest of the Summit Road, near Broadleaf Lane, or in five minutes from the Longridge Drive approach.
Britten Crags
Britten Crags is the long tracyhte cliffline high up on the eastern side of Heathcote Valley, just below the crest of the major spur running down from Mt Pleasant. At its southern end the cliffline merges into Cattlestop Crag, with an arbitrary division between the two at the small wall previously known as Dwarf Wall and listed under Britten Crags, but now known as Little Eiger Wall and listed under Cattlestop, as this is the direction by which it is usually approached. The crags are situated in the Christchurch City Council's John Britten Reserve.
For more informaition on rock climbing in Heathcote Valley and other nearby locations, check out the ClimbNZ website.
