Mt Grey/Maukatere walking tracks
Current access conditions:
Phone Rayonier NZ Ltd, +64 3 310 7612 or 027 480 9279, and an answerphone will inform you whether the gate is locked or not.
Track category
Walking track
Description
There are two tracks from the Grey River picnic area to the summit of Mt Grey/Maukatere.
Mt Grey (Maukatere) Track
Time: 2 - 3 hr one way
Walking down from the summit of Mt
Grey/Maukatere
From the north end of the Grey River picnic area the track climbs steadily through native bush and small areas of pine forest. It opens to tussock tops and the summit of Mt Grey/Maukatere (934 m).
Ten minutes after leaving the picnic area a short track on the left (not signposted ) leads to a series of small pools on a meander in the Grey River.
There are superb panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains en route to the summit.
Red Beech Track
Time: 3 - 5 hr one way
This route descends from the summit of Mt Grey/Maukatere through tussock grasslands, stands of tall red beech/tawhai and mountain beech/tawhai, and Hall's totara to the Grey River Picnic Area.
Getting there
Mt Grey/Maukatere Forest is 15 km west of Amberley. Amberley is 57 km north of Christchurch on State Highway 1.
From here take Douglas Road. This road branches off the main road to Broomfield and becomes Cramptons Bush Road after the Brodies Road intersection.
Access is not available through Ashley Forest from Rangiora.
Vehicle access is limited to forest roads between Lake Janet Picnic Area and the Grey River Picnic Area.
Be aware that heavy vehicles and logging trucks use these roads, and they may be closed during periods of high fire risk.
Plan and prepare
Fire
- Light no fires.
- If you see a fire or smoke, dial 111.
- Take extreme care with fire at all times.
Safety
Be prepared for sudden weather changes on the longer walks. Take warm and waterproof clothes.
Wasps
Beware of wasps here in summer. Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March each year.
It is recommended that forest users carry wasp first aid kits as a precaution. These are generally available from chemists.
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