Where can my dog run off the lead near Christchurch?

Yes: 2 of the 115 walks we map near Christchurch let a dog off the lead, including Waimairi Beach Walk, Horseshoe Lake Red Zone Loop. Check for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.

Are there dog-friendly beach walks near Christchurch?

Yes: 19 of the walks near Christchurch touch a beach, including Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track, Godley Head Out-and-Back from Taylors Mistake, Godley Head Walkway and Taylors Mistake Loop. Summer councils often restrict daytime beach hours, so check the seasonal window first.

Where can I stay with my dog near Christchurch?

We map 5 dog-friendly places to stay within about 40 km of Christchurch, DOC campsites and community holiday parks, each with its dog policy stated.

Canterbury · town

Dog-friendly walks near Christchurch

Every dog-friendly walk and tramp we have mapped around Christchurch, in the Canterbury region. That is 115 tracks in all, 2 where they can run and 53 with water on the route, each with its dog access, real climb and nearest places to stay read straight off the terrain.

The highest-rated walk here is Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track, and the longest is Christchurch 360 Trail: Sugarloaf Hills at 18.3 km. Of the lot, 61 are graded easy.

115 tracks2 where they can run53 with water on the route5 places to stay

Canterbury region Where they can run Swim spots All trails

Explore near Christchurch on the map

The complete list

All 115 dog-friendly walks near Christchurch

Sorted by rating. Every entry opens its full trail sheet with the elevation profile, dog verdict and nearest places to stay.

Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track

ModerateChristchurch

9.0 km↑254 m2.5–3 hr★4.8 rating

Swim spotShade

Godley Head Out-and-Back from Taylors Mistake

ModerateChristchurch

8.4 km↑221 m2–2.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Godley Head Walkway and Taylors Mistake Loop

ModerateChristchurch

9.8 km↑293 m3–3.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Taylors Mistake to Sumner Beach Coastal Walk

HardChristchurch

8.9 km↑326 m3.5–4 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotSealed underfoot

Taylors Mistake to Nicholson Park via Taylors Mistake Track

HardChristchurch

5.5 km↑264 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spot

Harry Ell Walkway

EasyChristchurch

4.5 km↑102 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Shade

Crater Rim Walkway: Godley Head to Breeze Col

ModerateChristchurch

3.5 km↑83 m1–1.5 hr★4.8 rating

Lyttleton to Christchurch Gondola via Bridle Track

HardChristchurch

6.0 km↑413 m2.5–3 hr★4.7 rating

Barnett Park Cave Loop

ModerateChristchurch

3.9 km↑159 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Bridle Path Walk to Summit Road Viewpoint

ModerateChristchurch

2.9 km↑268 m1.5–2 hr★4.6 rating

Old Halswell Quarry Loop

ModerateChristchurch

1.8 km↑56 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Good with kids

Hagley Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

5.8 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Christchurch Coastal Pathway

EasyChristchurch

14 km↑42 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Christchurch 360 Trail: Godley Cliffs

HardChristchurch

17 km↑454 m6–6.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Te Kuru Wetlands Loop

ModerateChristchurch

4.5 km↑10 m1–1.5 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Gorge Track Loop

ModerateChristchurch

1.6 km↑89 m★4.6 rating

Swim spotShade

Mount Pleasant Track

ModerateChristchurch

2.4 km↑93 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Barnett Park Track

ModerateChristchurch

3.9 km↑155 m1–1.5 hr★4.6 rating

Taylors Mistake to Black Rock Point

EasyChristchurch

1.9 km↑43 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Halswell Quarry Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑22 mabout 21 min★4.6 rating

Good with kids

Kennedy's Bush Track to Mount Ada

ModerateChristchurch

9.0 km↑390 m3–3.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spot

Crater Rim Walkway: Sign of the Kiwi to Coopers Knob

HardChristchurch

16 km↑499 m5.5–6 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Styx Mill Reserve Loop

EasyChristchurch

5.0 km↑6 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Bowenvale Valley Loop Track

ModerateChristchurch

4.0 km↑159 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

McLeans Forest Walking Track

ModerateChristchurch

10 km↑18 m2.5–3 hr★4.5 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Crater Rim, Cedrics, Mitchells, and Gilpins Loop Track

ModerateChristchurch

3.5 km↑154 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Bridge Reserve to South New Brighton Park

EasyChristchurch

4.7 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Eastenders Track

ModerateChristchurch

4.3 km↑305 m2–2.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Avon River Walkway Loop

EasyChristchurch

4.2 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Christchurch 360 Trail: Sugarloaf Hills

HardChristchurch

18 km↑872 m6–7 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spotShade

Southern Pegasus Bay Track

ModerateChristchurch

13 km↑0 m3–3.5 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotShade

Mount Ada Summit Loop

ModerateChristchurch

2.9 km↑100 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Shade

Montgomery Spur Reserve Loop

ModerateChristchurch

8.0 km↑243 m2.5–3 hr★4.5 rating

Sumner Promenade

EasyChristchurch

2.4 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Major Hornbrook Track

ModerateChristchurch

2.6 km↑244 m1–1.5 hr★4.5 rating

Kowhai, Rapaki, and Valley Tracks Loop

ModerateChristchurch

8.2 km↑371 m3–3.5 hr★4.5 rating

Bottle Lake Forest Blue Track

ModerateChristchurch

10 km↑0 m2.5–3 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Sumner Beach Walk

EasyChristchurch

2.1 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.7 rating

Swim spot

Halfway Te Ara Trail Circle

ModerateChristchurch

9.3 km↑0 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Latters Spur Track

ModerateChristchurch

5.6 km↑234 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Crater Rim Walkway and Summit Road Loop

ModerateChristchurch

2.9 km↑106 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Sealed underfoot

St Martin Steps Track

ModerateChristchurch

0.8 km↑62 mabout 20 min★4.5 rating

Shade

Hidden Valley Track to Victoria Park Loop

ModerateChristchurch

8.2 km↑329 m2.5–3 hr★4.4 rating

ShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

McIndoe Track - The Willows

EasyChristchurch

3.7 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShade

Otukaikino Track

ModerateChristchurch

9.2 km↑3 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Mona Vale Garden Park Track

EasyChristchurch

1.1 km↑0 mabout 16 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Quaifes Road Springlands Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.0 km↑0 mabout 12 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Captain Thomas Track Loop

ModerateChristchurch

6.9 km↑263 m2–2.5 hr★4.4 rating

Lancaster Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 mabout 13 min★4.7 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Gordon Reid Track

EasyChristchurch

4.3 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Westlake Reserve Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.1 km↑0 mabout 14 min★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Halswell Domain Loop

EasyChristchurch

2.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Broken Run Reserve to Bedrose Park

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑0 mabout 18 min★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Southshore Spit Track

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑0 mabout 19 min★4.4 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Huntsbury Track

ModerateChristchurch

4.5 km↑179 m1.5–2 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spot

Spencer Park MTB Brown and Southern Pegasus Bay Track

ModerateChristchurch

15 km↑3 m3.5–4 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShade

Bottle Lake Green Track Loop

EasyChristchurch

2.1 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Shade

Linwood Park Loop Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.3 km↑0 mabout 17 min★4.5 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Fendalton Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 10 min★4.6 rating

Good with kids

Coopers Knob from Summit Road

ModerateChristchurch

1.6 km↑64 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Sign of the Tahake and Water Tower Lookout Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.3 km↑0 mabout 5 min★4.5 rating

ShadeGood with kids

The Willows Dog Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 8 min★4.5 rating

Good with kids

Lake Victoria Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 mabout 13 min★4.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

F W Delamain Park Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 9 min★4.6 rating

Good with kids

Nicholson Park Walk

ModerateChristchurch

1.0 km↑55 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Ernle Clark Reserve Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 8 min★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Heathcote Expressway Cycleway

ModerateChristchurch

5.5 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Bradford Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 9 min★4.3 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Waimakariri Walkway

ModerateChristchurch

10 km↑0 m2.5–3 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spot

Tahi and Rua Lakes Loop

EasyChristchurch

2.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Drayton Reserve Track

ModerateChristchurch

2.9 km↑158 m1–1.5 hr★4.2 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Westmorland East Valley Reserve Loop Track

ModerateChristchurch

2.4 km↑88 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Te Waoku Kahikatea Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.6 km↑0 mabout 19 min★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kidsPram friendly

Matuku Lakes Loop Track

EasyChristchurch

1.8 km↑0 mabout 21 min★4.2 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Christchurch 360 Trail: Opawaho Divide

ModerateChristchurch

18 km↑16 m4–4.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfoot

Mount Vernon from Summit Road

ModerateChristchurch

0.4 km↑35 mabout 12 min★4.1 rating

Jolies Bush Walk

ModerateChristchurch

0.6 km↑22 mabout 13 min★4.0 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Latimer Square Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.5 km↑0 mabout 8 min★4.1 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Cuthberts Green Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑0 mabout 20 min

Good with kids

Edmonds Factory Gardens Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.4 km↑0 mabout 4 min

Good with kids

Papanui Stream Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.3 km↑0 mabout 15 min★3.9 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Ray Blank Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 10 min

Good with kids

Brooklands Lagoon Track

ModerateChristchurch

8.5 km↑0 m2–2.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spot

Kenton Track

ModerateChristchurch

3.5 km↑253 m1.5–2 hr★4.1 rating

Kruger Drainage Reserve Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.5 km↑0 mabout 7 min

Good with kids

Ngā Puna Wai Walk

EasyChristchurch

5.8 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Warren Park Loop Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Good with kids

Te Rauakaaka Trail

ModerateChristchurch

9.5 km↑6 m2–2.5 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Hollis Reserve Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.3 km↑0 mabout 4 min★3.6 rating

Good with kids

Heathcote Estuary Loop

EasyChristchurch

6.1 km↑18 m1–1.5 hr★4.1 rating

Swim spotShade

Horseshoe Perimeter Walk

EasyChristchurch

3.1 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Living Springs Ridge Sunset Walk

ModerateChristchurch

3.1 km↑203 m1–1.5 hr★3.9 rating

Waimairi Beach Walk

ModerateChristchurch

5.0 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Bullers Stream Walkway

EasyChristchurch

2.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.0 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

St Albans Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 mabout 12 min★3.6 rating

Good with kidsPram friendly

Sydenham Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 mabout 12 min★3.2 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Walthham Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 8 min

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Centennial Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 mabout 13 min★3.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Port Hills Loop

HardChristchurch

14 km↑705 m5.5–6 hr★4.0 rating

Shade

Jellie Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.3 km↑0 mabout 18 min★3.9 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Rutland Street Park Walk to Papanui Stream

EasyChristchurch

2.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.8 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Edgar Macintosh Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 9 min★3.5 rating

Good with kids

Benmore Gardens Reserve Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.3 km↑0 mabout 4 min

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Waimakariri River & McLeans Forest Loop

ModerateChristchurch

11 km↑18 m2.5–3 hr★3.8 rating

Swim spotShade

Dickeys to Waimakariri Trail

EasyChristchurch

5.8 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★3.6 rating

Good with kids

Sparks Road Wetland Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.7 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

Northern Line Cycleway

EasyChristchurch

5.3 km↑3 m1–1.5 hr★3.6 rating

Swim spotShadeSealed underfootGood with kids

Nunweek Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.6 km↑0 mabout 22 min★2.4 rating

Good with kids

Burnside Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

2.3 km↑3 m0.5–1 hr★3.6 rating

Good with kids

Avonhead Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★2.0 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kidsPram friendly

Tullet Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.1 km↑0 mabout 17 min

Good with kids

Wycola Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 mabout 9 min

Good with kids

Templers Island Trail

HardChristchurch

15 km↑96 m3 hr 6 min

Horseshoe Lake Red Zone Loop

EasyChristchurch

2.4 km↑5 m28 min

Richmond Avon River Bridge Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.9 km↑5 m23 min

Star ratings are average scores from the walkers who have logged each track.

Room to run

Off-leash walks near Christchurch

The 2 tracks around Christchurch where a dog can legally run off the lead. Rare enough on New Zealand tracks to be worth the drive, and worth checking for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.