Walking
1 April 2025
Dog friendly walks in Christchurch
Grab your floofy bestie and explore the city tracks.
Five dog friendly walks across Ōtautahi Christchurch
Get out and about around Ōtautahi Christchurch and take your doggo friend with you!
Did you know there are heaps of dog friendly spots to walk and exercise your pooch around Christchurch?
Well, we reckon we’ve got your next doggy outing sorted with our pick of the most epic walks for you and your dog… and we promise they’ll love you even more for it!
Just don’t forget the leash, poo bags and drinking water!
Waitākiri/Bottle Lake Forest Park
Breathe in the air amongst the exotic pines of Bottle Lake Forest for your next outing with the pooch.
This wonderful 800-hectare pine forest in northeast Christchurch has dog friendly walking tracks weaving through the trees. This makes for a lovely, sheltered walk on both sunny and windy days.
Out of the woods at nearby Waimairi Beach, there’s plenty of room to play fetch with some driftwood.
Features:
Coastal and forest walks, mountain-bike tracks and horse-riding trails. Fairy village and public toilets in the car park.
- Distance: Blue Track: 11.4km loop from car park - 1.5-2hrs return, Blue Coastal Track: Start 200m from car park and finish at Blue Track - 4.7km, 50 mins, Green Track: 3km loop starting at car park - 45 mins return
- Dogs: Under effective control (can be exercised off-leash in forest park)
- Shared use: Yes
- Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter, and watch out for mountain bikers
Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail
Explore the beautiful flora and fauna on the banks of our cherished Avon/Ōtākaro River with your hound.
Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail follows the river from the edge of the central city heading east towards the sea to New Brighton.
This large, shared-use trail for walkers and cyclists is a mix of shingle and closed roads following the Avon River through the city’s red zone, with dogs mostly on the leash.
Features:
- Distance: Start at Cambridge Village Green and finish at Pages Road - 11 km
- Time: 2 hr 30 mins
- Dogs: Under effective control, mostly. On-leash in central city until over Fitzgerald Avenue and again between Wainoni and Pages Road. Prohibited in Cockayne Reserve everywhere except walkway
- Shared use: Yes
- Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter so take care when crossing the open roads
Quarry Rim Track, Halswell Quarry
Stand victorious with your pooch above Christchurch city at the historic Halswell Quarry, overlooking the Southern Alps in the distance.
Halswell Quarry offers a fun day out for friends, family and pets with its many tracks, historic sites and six sister-city gardens.
The Quarry Rim is a rewarding track with dramatic views, suitable for all ages and dogs on leashes.
Features:
Walking, mountain bike tracks and horse exercise areas are in Quarry Park.
- Distance: Start at the main car park loop. Access to Kennedys Bush Road and Track - 2km
- Time: 40 mins
- Dogs: On-lead for all walking tracks in the quarry. Unfenced dog exercise park where dogs can be off the leash but under effective control. Dogs are prohibited from the wetlands conservation area
- Shared use: No
- Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter
Southern Pegasus Bay Track
Take a stroll with your doggo friend along our city’s eastern coast cruising a large, coastal trail in the dune crest and forests of New Brighton.
Stretching from Southshore Spit to Spencer Park Surf Club, you can start the Southern Pegasus Bay Track at either end, or for a shorter walk, start at Broad Park.
Enjoy the tranquility of Spencer Park and Bottle Lake Forests and the impressive views of the Pacific Ocean when following the crest of the dune.,
There are varying difficulty levels on this extensive multi-track, so there’s something for everyone!
Features:
Broad Park: toilets, playground
Southshore Spit: estuary, wildlife reserve
Spencer Park: toilets, mini-golf
- Distance: Start: Broad Park, New Brighton, through either Bottle Lake Forest or Southshore Spit. Finish: Spencer Park Surf Club. 14.5 km
- Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Dogs: Under effective control. Can be off-leash on the track and beach. On lead in Southshore Spit
- Shared use: No
Port Hills Crater Rim Walkway
Take in the views of our beautiful city and the surrounding harbours with man’s best friend on the Crater Rim Track in the Port Hills.
Take your pup on this four-kilometer stroll (on the leash) through tussock grassland and regenerating native bush and enjoy breathtaking views.
Features:
- Distance: Start at the Sign of the Kiwi and finish at the Sign of the Bellbird - 4km
- Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Dogs: On-lead
- Shared use: No
- Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter
BONUS: Don’t forget… the city’s dog parks
If Buddy is driving you up the wall, why not check out the many dog parks scattered around Christchurch to burn off some doggy energy?
Dogs can exercise off the leash with other dogs and their owners at the many fenced dog parks in Christchurch.
There are dedicated dog parks and dog exercise areas. Some parks have agility equipment, doggy doo disposal bins and spots for your pups to have a dip.
Check out the Christchurch City Council for more information on exercising dogs and dog parks.
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