Dog Friendly Walks In Christchurch

Breathe in the air amongst the exotic pines of Bottle Lake Forest for your next outing with the pooch.

This wonderful 800-hectare pine forest in northeast Christchurch has dog-friendly walking tracks weaving through the trees. This makes for a lovely sheltered walk on very sunny or windy days too.

Out of the woods at nearby Waimairi Beach, there’s plenty of room to play fetch with some driftwood.

Features:

Coastal and forest walks, mountain-bike tracks and horse-riding trails. Fairy village and public toilets in car park.
Distance: Blue Track: 11.4km loop from car park - 1.5-2hrs return.
Blue Coastal Track: start 200m from car park and finish at Blue Track - 4.7km, 50mins.
Green Track: 3km loop starting at car park - 45mins return.
Dogs: Under effective control (can be exercised off leash in Forest Park) 
Shared use: Yes
Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter and watch out for mountain bikers.

Explore the beautiful flora and fauna on the banks of our cherished Avon/Ōtākaro River with your hound.

Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon RiverTrail follows the river from the edge of central city heading east towards the sea to New Brighton.

This large, shared-use trail for walkers and cyclists is a mix of shingle and closed roads following the Avon River through the city’s red zone with dogs mostly on the leash.

Features:

Distance: Start at Cambridge Village Green and finish at Pages Road - 11 km
Time: 2 hr 30 mins
Dogs: Under effective control mostly. On leash in central city until over Fitzgerald Avenue and again between Wainoni and Pages Roads. Prohibited in Cockayne Reserve everywhere except walkway.
Shared use: Yes
Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter and take care when crossing the open roads.

Stand victorious with your pooch above Christchurch City at the historic Halswell Quarry, overlooking the Southern Alps in the distance.

Halswell Quarry offers a fun day out for friends, family and pets with its many tracks, historic sites and six sister-city gardens.

The Quarry Rim is a rewarding track with dramatic views, suitable for all ages and dogs on the leash.

Features:

Walking, mountain bike tracks and horse exercise areas in Quarry Park. 
Distance: Start at the main car park loop. Access to Kennedys Bush Road and Track - 2km.
Time: 40 mins
Dogs: On lead for all walking tracks in quarry. Unfenced dog exercise park where dogs can be off the leash, but under effective control. Dogs are prohibited from the Wetlands Conservation Area.
Shared use: No
Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter.

Take a stroll with your doggo friend along our city’s eastern coast cruising a large, coastal trail in the dune crest and forests of New Brighton.

Stretching between Southshore Spit to Spencer Park Surf Club, you can start the Southern Pegasus Bay Track at either end, or for a shorter walk, start at Broad Park.

Enjoy the tranquility of Spencer Park and Bottle Lake Forests and the impressive views of the Pacific Ocean when following the crest of the dune.

There are varying difficulty levels on this extensive multi-track, so there’s something for everyone!

Features:

Broad Park: toilets, playground
Southshore Spit: estuary, wildlife reserve
Spencer Park: toilets, mini-golf
Start: Broad Park, New Brighton through either Bottle Lake Forest or Southshore Spit. Finish: Spencer Park Surf Club.
Distance: 14.5 km
Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Dogs: Under effective control. Can be off leash on the track and beach. On lead in Southshore Spit.
Shared use: No

Take in the views of our beautiful city and the surrounding harbours with your man’s best friend on the Crater Rim Track in Christchurch’s Port Hills.

Take your pup on this four-kilometre stroll (on the leash) through tussock grassland and regenerating native bush and enjoy breathtaking views of blue.

Features:

Distance: Start at the Sign of the Kiwi and finish at the Sign of the Bellbird - 4km.
Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Dogs: On lead
Shared use: No
Caution: Tracks can be slippery in the winter.

If Skippy is driving you up the wall, why not check out the many dog parks scattered around Christchurch to burn off some doggy energy.

Dogs can exercise off the leash with other dogs and their owners at the many, fenced dog parks in Christchurch.

There are dedicated dog parks and dog exercise areas. Some parks have agility equipment, doggy doo disposal bins and spots for your pups to have a dip.

Check out the Chirstchurch City Council for more information on exercising dogs and dog parks.