Forest & Hill Walks
Experience the forest and hills of Hanmer Springs and the Hurunui districts with a great variety of walks. From 15 minutes to half day, enjoy tracks through native bush, exotic plantations or woodland areas.
Grey River Nature Trail - Amberley
Duration of walk: 1 hour return
Start location: Northern end of Grey River Picnic Area (west of Amberley township)
Key Highlights:
- Loop-trail is ideal for families
- Diverse native bush
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Mt Grey (Maukatere) Track - Amberley
Duration of walk: 2–3 hours one way
Start location: The north end of the Grey River Picnic area (west of Amberley township)
Key Highlights:
- Track climbs steadily through native bush and areas of pine
- Superb panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains
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Red Beech Route - Amberley
Duration of walk: 3–4 hours one way (downhill)
Start location: summit of Mt Grey (west of Amberley township)
Key Highlights:
- Finishes at Grey River Picnic Area
- Tussock grasslands, red beech, mountain beech
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Conical Hill Walk - Hanmer Springs
Duration of walk: 1 hour return – moderate walk
Start location: end of Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs
Key Highlights:
- Magnificent views from the lookout shelter
- Mature exotic plantations (100 years old approx)
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Woodland Walk – Hanmer Springs
Duration of walk: 1 hour return – easy walk
Start location: accessed from Torquay Terrace or Jollies Pass Road car park
Key Highlights:
- Passes through typical woodland
- Suitable for families
- Stream, flax wetland and ponds
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Fir Trail – Hanmer Springs
Duration of walk: 45 minutes return – moderate walk
Start location:
Key Highlights:
- Passes through magnificent stands of European larch and Douglas fir
- Use this track to make a circuit with the Waterfall and Spur Tracks
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Forest Amble – Hanmer Springs
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.
Key Highlights:
- Some of the oldest stands in the Hanmer Basin
- European larch planted in 1904
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Forest Walk – Hanmer Springs
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.
Key Highlights:
- Exotic conifers and broadleaf species
- Understoreys of sycamore, oak silver birch and rowan
- Wild fungi in autumn and native orchids in late spring
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Forest Journey - Hanmer Springs
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.
Key Highlights:
- Macrocarpa planted in 1927
- Cedar, cypress and redwood trees
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Māori Rock Drawings (Weka Pass Walkway) - Waikari
Duration of walk: 90 minutes return
Start location: Village walkway rest stop
Key Highlights:
- Amazing views
- Walk is closed August to October for farming activities
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The Plane Table - Waikari
Duration of walk: 15 minute hill climb
Start location: Start on fence line along Village Walkway
Key Highlights:
- Mountains and geographical features are engraved on a plaque for easy reference
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Mt Cass Walkway - Waipara
Duration of walk: 3 hours return (approx.)
Start location: starts from the car parking area 3.3km from State Highway 1
Key Highlights:
- Majority of walkway is on a formed track
- Stunning views
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St James - Fowlers Pass Track (Hanmer Springs)
Duration of walk: 5hr, 30 mins (walking times only) – 16km
Start location: Tophouse Road
Key Highlights:
- Fowlers Hut on Tophouse Road is a historic rabbiters hut
- Section of the original 1880s rabbit exclusion fence
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Tiromoana Bush Walk - Waipara
Duration of walk: Varies depending on track chosen
Start location: End of Mt Cass Road, at car park
Key Highlights:
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