On-leadModerate
Te Rauakaaka Trail
Christchurch · Canterbury · Out & Back
↑ 6 m gain↓ 6 m descenthigh 8 msteepest 0 %
DISTANCE9.5 km
ASCENT6 m
DURATION2–2.5 hr
ROUTEOut & Back
RATING · HIKERS 4.0 · 17
DOG EFFORT2.0 /5 paws
PARKING50 m away
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.
Christchurch City Council maps a no-dogs zone at Te Rauakaaka Nature 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 Te Rauakaaka Trail
Near Christchurch in Canterbury, Te Rauakaaka Trail runs 9.5 km as an out-and-back.
Graded moderate, it climbs about 6 m overall, and takes about 2–2.5 hr to walk.
The track takes in beach walking, native forest, lakeside stretches, and river frontage. Dogs are welcome here on the lead. Hikers rate it 4.0 / 5 across 17 reviews.