Christchurch Cathedral Square to Marshs Road

The Rail Trail begins at Cathedral Square located in the heart of Christchurch passing by the Arts Centre, Canterbury Museum, Boat Sheds and hospital and then through Hagley Park. Enjoy a few minutes riding in the park before arriving at a well-controlled intersection where you will cross Moorehouse Ave onto Grove Rd. After this, the trail leads through quiet suburban streets to another controlled crossing of Brougham St and turns west onto an approximately 100m long painted cycle path which leads to a separated cycle path. This path provides a safe cycling environment next to the motorway underpass at the end of the motorway. From there you will join a separated cycle path to Springs Road after which there is 1km of on-road cycling to Marshs Road, then a further 800m on Marshs Road until you join the smooth and separated bike path from Marshs Road to Prebbleton. We recommend this route be used by city-based cyclists who are confident negotiating through roundabouts.

This section of the Railtrail, opened in September 2009, starts about 400 m south of the Shands Road/Halswell Junction Road intersection on Shands Road where a small car park is available.

With the extension of the Southern Motorway a route from Cathedral Square to Marsh's Road is open. The route uses the Little River Link cycleway established by Christchurch City Council.

This section of the Rail Trail, which opened in November 2006, starts at the Birchs Road/Trices Road intersection and is a seven kilometer off-road ashphalt pathway alongside Birchs Road to the township of Lincoln. It runs alongside the original railway line through pleasant rural surroundings and is wide enough to enable cycling in both directions.

Public Toilets are at the Prebbleton Reserve (by the children's playground) and Lincoln. Visit the Prebbleton Nature Park on Springs Road.

For those driving to Prebbleton there is adequate parking along Birchs Road between Springs Road and Trices Road or alternatively at the Prebbleton Reserve.

From Lincoln the route follows Edward Street before entering Liffey Spring Drive and emerging into the wetland areas. From the wetland areas the trail exits onto Moirs Lane before crossing Ellesmere Road and after a short off road section joins Collins Road East. From Collins Road East the trail joins River Road with this section of trail being on road. This is a rural road and safety is encouraged.

This section of the trail is off-road and the surface is hardpacked gravel. The route is adjacent to the Halswell Canal but deviates away onto farmland for a approximately 1.7 kilometers to reduce the impact of disturbance on the visiting bird life. The bird life will be a key attraction of this unique wetland area. The Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET), Rail Trail Trust and Environment Canterbury worked together to develop a planting plan that has enhanced the wetland for wildlife, provided interpretation signage to promote the importance of this wetland ecosystem and inform Railtrail users of its sensitivity and value to the environment.

This section, plus most of the sections between here and Little River, were the first to be opened to the public in May 2006. The Railtrail, from Motukārara, is on public land managed by the Department of Conservation (DoC). The area is also pursuant to a unique Management Plan administered by the Te Waihora Management Board (Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu).

Most of this section of the Railtrail runs alongside Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), where the railway embankment is raised above the lake and adjoining wetlands, affording magnificent views of the surroundings and the prolific birdlife.

The original Motukārara station was restored and relocated on to the trail at the Fiddlers Road entrance by the Lincoln Rotary Club, who were also responsible for landscaping the Station area.

The section passes the Kaituna Lagoon and  Kaitorete Spit (the largest landform of its type in New Zealand) and ends at Kaituna Quarry (Ataahua Reserve). There is significant natural, cultural and historical interest along this section of the route. Kaituna Valley and Kaituna Lagoon are of particular importance to many Canterbury Papatipu Runanga.

At the Ataahua Reserve (Kaituna Quarry) the car park and landscaping were provided by the Hornby Rotary Club. The car park is accessed directly from State Highway 75. DoC has installed a toilet on the approach path between the Railtrail and the Kaituna car park.

This section, plus most of the section between Birdlings Flat and Little River and between Motukarara and Kaituna Quarry Reserve, were the first to be opened to the public in May 2006. The Railtrail, from Motukarara, is on public land managed by the Department of Conservation (DoC). The area is also pursuant to a unique Management Plan administered by the Te Waihora Management Board (Department of Conservation and Ngai Tahu).

Most of this section of the Railtrail runs alongside Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), where the railway embankment is raised above the lake and adjoining wetlands, affording magnificent views of the surroundings and the prolific birdlife.

After the trail moves away from the lake’s edge, riders can take a detour to Birdlings Flat, where they will
be offered a breath-taking view of the ocean and the chance to stroll along the beach of the Kaitorete Spit, which is rich in gemstones, particularly agates.

This section traverses along the old railway embankment to the Little River township, finishing opposite the Little River Railway Station, now an Information and Craft Centre.

Much of this section travels beside Te Roto o Wairewa (Lake Forsyth). The Wairewa Rūnanga is developing a Mahinga Kai Cultural Park in this area and has established the Takuahi Research and Development Company to oversee this work. This group has been the lead organisation in the development of this section of the Rail Trail.

There are toilets at Catons Bay and in the Little River township.