On-leadModerate
Ashley Gorge Loop and Waterfall Track
Oxford · Canterbury · Loop
↑ 216 m gain↓ 214 m descenthigh 402 msteepest 32 %
DISTANCE4.0 km
ASCENT216 m
DURATION1.5–2 hr
STEEPEST32 %
ROUTELoop
RATING · HIKERS 4.4 · 280
DOG EFFORT3.6 /5 paws
Nearest emergency vetChristchurch After Hours Veterinary Centre, Christchurch
03 366 1052
The route
Good to know
On the lead here. Keep it to two metres or less and watch for ground-nesting birds, as on most NZ tracks.
Waimakariri District Council maps a no-dogs zone at Ashley Gorge Reserve. Dogs are not allowed inside it, so check the local signs to see if your route runs through it. How we check dog rules.
Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.
About Ashley Gorge Loop and Waterfall Track
This moderate-length track follows 4.0 km as a loop, near Oxford in Canterbury.
Graded moderate, it climbs about 216 m overall, pitching up to 32 % at its steepest, and takes about 1.5–2 hr to walk.
Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, waterfalls, and wildlife. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.4 / 5 across 280 reviews.