New section of Railtrail open for the holiday season

Construction of 4 km Ahuriri section of the Christchurch-Little River Railtrail is now complete and ready for the public to use over the summer holiday period. It has been built by Environment Canterbury on council land with the Railtrail Trust pleased that two parts of the trail already in use are now linked.

“We want the trail to be a continuous link,” says Railtrail Trust Chairman Don Babe, “We’re planning for it to be one of the great rides of New Zealand.”

“The Ahuriri section passes through some amazing landscape which has stunning scenery and a lot of history.”

One way to explore this latest section is to park in the cycle trail car park at Motukarara and ride 1.6 km north-west on Park Rd to the Halswell River, where the trail starts.

Mr Babe says people can also get to the Ahuriri section from River Road off the Lincoln-Taitapu Road. There is a temporary but very ride-able track built by the Trust between Geddes and Neills Road to assist with access.

“The new part of the trail is designed for all-weather, with a well compacted metal surface. It is suited to riders of all abilities as well as walkers or hikers, and is completely away from the road.”

The trail follows westward along the river and through farmland. The Trust has also commissioned an extensive planting plan for this section with the aim of restoring a native habitat.

The Railtrail is being built in sections and so far over 30 km has been finished. Ultimately the trail will extend over 45 km from Shands Road in Hornby, Christchurch via Prebbleton, Lincoln, Motukarara and out to Little River on Banks Peninsula.

As with the rest of the trail, dogs and horses are prohibited. For more information about the trail, including maps, a history of the trail and suggestions of things to do along the way visit www.littleriverrailtrail.co.nz