This page hosts material associated with the Mountains to the Sea cycleway project - a concept that was progressed by Environment Canterbury in association with Selwyn District Council, land owners and a wide group of other supporters. It was proposed that it form part of Nga Haerenga – The New Zealand Cycle Trail, a Government initiative originating from the February 2009 jobs summit, where a series of great rides were proposed to be built to stimulate jobs in the short term and economic benefits in the long term. The funding bid was unsuccessful, so it is no longer a project that is under active development by Environment Canterbury and its project partners. If this situation changes in the future, the concept may be revisited.
Environment Canterbury’s concept for a mountain to sea cycle trail
Environment Canterbury, in association with Selwyn District Council, land owners and a wider group of supporters, tried to progress the concept of a mountains to the sea cycle trail from Arthur's Pass to the Waimakariri River mouth.
The concept, as proposed, was for a gentle downhill 142 km long multi-day trail that takes in the best of Canterbury’s high country and braided rivers. The aim was to promote the best New Zealand has to offer to international and domestic visitors through the creation of an iconic visitor experience. This would help existing local business, as well as create new employment and business opportunities for the local area and boost tourism across the wider region.
For background on Nga Haerenga – The New Zealand Cycle Trail, visit http://www.tourism.govt.nz/Our-Work/New-Zealand-Cycle-Trail-Project/
Latest news
Environment Canterbury has learnt from the Ministry of Tourism that its proposal, supported by a range of groups and organisations, has been unsuccessful in the application for funding for an engineering feasibility study. Other funding options may now be looked into but, for the moment, the project is no longer being actively developed.
Description of the route concept
To view the concept of the route, follow the various links in the Related Documents pane to the right of this page. A textual description of the route follows below.
The cycleway is proposed to start on a new track to be formed adjacent to the Arthur's Pass railway station alongside the Bealey River. For a distance of some 4 km, cyclists will enjoy alpine views until they cross the Bealey River by way of a clip-on cycleway attached to the railway bridge. Cyclists will then make use of new and existing tracks on the true left of the Waimakariri River, which will hug the native forest cloaked lower contours of a series of peaks. This track will join with Riversdale Road, passing Paterson Lodge and then head south to the Mount White Bridge crossing of the Waimakariri River, where it will rejoin a new track adjacent to the railway line, connecting to existing track alongside Grasmere Stream and arriving in Cass. Cyclists have travelled some 22 km and descended some 160 metres.
Leaving Cass, cyclists follow an existing track until they reach a railway crossing at Craigieburn Road. Cyclists will then follow this low volume scenic road adjacent to Slovens Stream for some 18 km, until they reach Avoca at Broken River. At the confluence of Slovens Stream and Broken River, cyclists cross a swing bridge leading to the historic Avoca Homestead, joining existing track leading away from the river and into the Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park. This section leads to Staircase Gully, some 5 km to the south east, and offers spectacular views to the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana, with occasional glimpses of the Waimakariri River as it meanders south. At 1 km or so north of Staircase Gully, the track will cross the railway line and follow a new track with views down into the river. A cycleway structure will be provided around the bluffs on the approach to Staircase Gully railway bridge, which will link into the decked out underside of the bridge structure, where cyclists will cross the Gully that runs some 80 metres below.
Cyclists then rejoin existing track, to the true right of the Waimakariri River and follow this track for some 6 km all the way to Pattersons Stream, via native bush track. A swing bridge will be provided across the stream close to it’s convergence with the Waimakariri River at Otarama. Cyclists then follow existing track, crossing the railway and then Joyces Stream, linking with Midland Road. For some 15 km, cyclists then follow quiet scenic roads, coming within close proximity to the Springfield township. Taking Frasers Road, Wrights Road and Woodlands Road, cyclists come close to the Sheffield township and a short distance further, the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge. They have now ridden 85 km and descended some 500 metres from Arthur's Pass.
It is at this point that cyclists will ride down into the gorge off the river terrace, and enter the regional council owned Waimakariri River Regional Park. Track through native bush will be provided through the park on the true right of the Waimakariri River, all the way to Brooklands Lagoon, some 55 km downstream, on the northern edge of Christchurch.
Background project information
Various background documents about the project concept are provided in the Related Documents area to the right of this page.
Currently loaded on this site are the meeting notes from the two stakeholder workshops that have taken place to date.
Contact point
To enquire about this project, contact:
Robert Woods
Programme Manager Transport
Environment Canterbury
Tel: (03) 363-9360
Email: Robert.woods@ecan.govt.nz