Ahuriri valley tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Mountain bike - Easy
Mountain bike - Intermediate
Description
These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Upper Ahuriri valley
Upper Ahuriri valley
Upper Ahuriri valley road end to Shamrock Hut
Track classification: Tramping track ; Mountain bike - Easy
Time: 2 hrs (walking)
Distance: 5.5 km
If you wish to drive to Birchwood road end a 4WD is required from the park boundary (21 km along Birchwood Road). Walk to Shamrock Hut on an old farm track.
Mountain biking: Mountain bikers can easily ride to Shamrock Hut, although you do need to cross Little Canyon Creek.
Shamrock Hut to Hagens Hut
Track classification: Tramping track ; Mountain bike - Intermediate
Time: 2 hrs (walking)
Distance: 6 km
The marked route to Hagens Hut involves several crossings of Ahuriri River as you travel along the riverbed.
Mountain biking: Keen bikers can carry on to Hagens Hut, but there are river crossings involved.
Hagens Hut to Top Hut
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 2 hrs
Distance: 4.5 km
Top Hut, a small two person hut, is located near the beech forest margin and celery pine trees.
Canyon Creek
Upper Ahuriri valley road end to Canyon Creek picnic area
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 20 mins one way
Distance: 1.5 km
From the end of Birchwood Road it is a short walk to Canyon Creek picnic area. There are toilets here, so it is also a good area to camp.
Canyon Creek picnic area to Canyon Creek bushline
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 1 hr
Distance: 4 km
Canyon Creek track is signposted and climbs beside a spectacular canyon through beech forest. The track continues on to where the Canyon Creek waterfalls can be admired.
Dingle Burn valley
Descending to Ahuriri valley
Ahuriri valley floor to Top Dingle Hut
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 3 - 4 hrs
Distance: 4.5 km; 600 m vertical
A steep, well formed track climbs from the Ahuriri valley floor to Dingle Burn saddle. Snowpoles mark the descent down to Top Dingle Hut in Dingle Burn valley.
Lower Ahuriri valley
Avon Burn valley to Top Timaru Hut
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 7-10 hrs
Distance: 22 km; 940 m vertical
From the carpark on Birchwood Road a public access easement through farmland travels above the Avon Burn. After crossing the Avon Burn the track is on a farm road to a private musterers hut (Tin Hut). Cross the Avon Burn again and climb up to Mt Martha Saddle (1680 m), the track then descends into the head of Timaru valley and after two hours you should reach Top Timaru Hut. Tramping further on down the Timaru River Track leads to Lake Hawea.
The track from Ahuriri valley to Lake Hawea is part of Te Araroa - a walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff, www.teararoa.org.nz
Quailburn Bush and historic site
Quailburn historic site to Quailburn bushline
Track classification: Tramping track
Time: 30 mins
Distance: 1.5 km; 180 m vertical
The historic site at the end of Quailburn Road is a great place to explore and enjoy a family outing and picnic. Interpretation panels installed in the old woolshed detail the background to this interesting area. The tramp from the historic site to the beech forest bushline involves numerous shallow crossings of the Quailburn in fine weather (low rainfall) conditions. Experienced trampers can carry on to Quailburn Saddle and down into the East Ahuriri valley.
Find out more about the Quailburn historic site
Getting there
Ahuriri valley lies at the head of Birchwood Road, off State Highway 8. The closest town is Omarama which is 4 hours drive south of Christchurch on State Highway 8 and 3 hours north of Dunedin.
Plan and prepare
Topographical maps for the area: BZ14.
Be prepared: The climate in this region is traditionally very hot in summer and extremely cold in winter. New Zealand weather can change very rapidly so trampers need to be prepared for a range of conditions.
Fire: Fire restrictions apply to all public conservation land. Check with the Omarama Information Centre or Te Manahuna Area DOC office for the current fire status.
River crossing: Be aware of weather conditions in catchment headwaters. Do not attempt to cross swollen rivers or streams.
Windfall: Because of the danger of falling branches, it is not advisable to camp under beech forest.
Avalanche: Avalanche run-out zones can impact on the valley floor from May to November. Carry 457 khz transceivers, probes and shovels in avalanche terrain.
Communications: Cell phone coverage cannot be relied upon in this region. The use of satellite phones or mountain radios is recommended instead. At the very least trampers should be carrying a personal locator beacon.
Before heading out:
- check weather conditions
- carry a map/GPS
- make sure your bike is roadworthy and carry all necessary repair tools
- leave intentions with someone at home
- carry appropriate food, water and clothing
- reduce the spread of didymo by making sure your bike is clean and dry from your last ride