Canterbury · town

Dog-friendly walks near Christchurch

Every dog-friendly hike and tramp we have mapped around Christchurch, in the Canterbury region. That is 112 tracks in all, 8 off the lead and 55 with a swim spot, each with its lead rule, real climb and nearest places to stay read straight off the terrain.

The highest-rated hike here is Awaroa/Godley Head Loop Track, and Hagley Park Loop is one you can walk off the lead. Of the lot, 60 are graded easy.

112 tracks8 off-lead55 swim spots5 places to stay

Canterbury region Off-lead hikes Swim spots All trails

Explore near Christchurch on the map

The complete list

All 112 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 kids

Christchurch Coastal Pathway

EasyChristchurch

14 km↑42 m3–3.5 hr★4.6 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

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

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 m0.5–1 hr★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

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 kids

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 kids

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 kids

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Quaifes Road Springlands Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.0 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

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 m0.5–1 hr★4.6 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Southshore Spit Track

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Fendalton Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

ShadeGood with kids

The Willows Dog Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.5 rating

Good with kids

Lake Victoria Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

F W Delamain Park Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.3 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Heathcote Expressway Cycleway

ModerateChristchurch

5.5 km↑0 m1–1.5 hr★4.4 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Bradford Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Matuku Lakes Loop Track

EasyChristchurch

1.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotGood with kids

New Brighton Pier Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑4 m0.5–1 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Christchurch 360 Trail: Dunes Wetlands

ModerateChristchurch

16 km↑0 m3.5–4 hr★4.2 rating

Swim spotShade

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

0.5 km↑35 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Jolies Bush Walk

ModerateChristchurch

0.6 km↑22 m0.5–1 hr★4.0 rating

ShadeGood with kids

Latimer Square Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.5 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★4.1 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Cuthberts Green Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.4 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.0 rating

Good with kids

Edmonds Factory Gardens Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.0 rating

Good with kids

Papanui Stream Walk

EasyChristchurch

1.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.9 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Ray Blank Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.4 rating

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 m0.5–1 hr★3.3 rating

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★3.6 rating

Good with kids

Sydenham Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★3.2 rating

Sealed underfootGood with kids

Walthham Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★2.3 rating

Swim spotSealed underfootGood with kids

Centennial Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.8 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★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 m0.5–1 hr★3.5 rating

Good with kids

Benmore Gardens Reserve Walk

EasyChristchurch

0.3 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr★1.2 rating

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 m0.5–1 hr★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 kids

Tullet Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

1.1 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr

Good with kids

Wycola Park Loop

EasyChristchurch

0.6 km↑0 m0.5–1 hr

Good with kids

Star ratings are average scores from the hikers who have walked each track.

Lead off

Off-leash walks near Christchurch

The 8 tracks around Christchurch where dogs can legally come off the lead. Off-lead access is rare on New Zealand tracks, so check for seasonal wildlife closures before you unclip.