Christchurch is one of New Zealand's most cycle-friendly cities. The flat terrain of the Canterbury Plains makes the city naturally suited to cycling, and the post-earthquake rebuild created the opportunity to invest seriously in separated cycling infrastructure. The result is an extensive network of cycleways that connect most of the city safely and pleasantly.
Beyond the urban network, the Canterbury region offers outstanding cycling destinations — the Little River Rail Trail, the coastal paths, and the mountain bike trails on the Port Hills. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or exploring the region, cycling is one of the best ways to experience it.
Christchurch City Cycleway Network
The Major Cycle Routes (MCRs) form the backbone of the city's cycling infrastructure. The Papanui Path, Quarryman's Trail, Northern Line, and South Express are all separated or low-traffic routes connecting the suburbs to the CBD. They are well-signed and mostly flat, making them suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Download the Christchurch City Council cycling map before heading out.
Little River Rail Trail
The Little River Rail Trail runs 48km from Hornby on the edge of Christchurch to Little River on Banks Peninsula. It follows the old railway corridor through flat farmland, past wetlands, and into the foothills. The full route is a comfortable day or overnight ride. The stretch from Hornby to Prebbleton is popular for casual family riding. Cafes at Little River and Motukarara provide rest stops.
Avon River Path — CBD and Eastern Suburbs
The Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor path follows the river from the CBD through the eastern suburbs. It passes through the green corridor created by the residential red zone, which has been converted to parkland since the earthquakes. The path is flat, peaceful, and gives a very different perspective on the city. It connects to the coastal path and makes a good half-day ride.
Coastal Pathway — New Brighton to Sumner
The coastal pathway links the eastern and southern beaches and provides excellent flat cycling with sea views. From New Brighton Pier south through Southshore and toward the Heathcote Estuary, the route passes through a mix of beach environments, estuary edges, and coastal reserves. The wind can be significant on this stretch — check the forecast before heading out.
Port Hills Mountain Biking
The Port Hills has an extensive mountain bike trail network ranging from beginner-friendly gravel paths to technical single track. Kennedy's Bush and the trails around the Gondola base are well-maintained and sign-posted. The Christchurch Mountain Bike Club maintains many trails and publishes current conditions online. The climb from the city to the ridge is substantial — an e-bike makes the steep approach much more manageable.
Quarryman's Trail — South Christchurch
The Quarryman's Trail runs south from the CBD through Sydenham, Waltham, and Hillmorton to Halswell Quarry Park. It follows an old quarry railway corridor and is mostly off-road and separated. The 14km route gives a good introduction to the southern suburbs and the Halswell end provides a scenic destination with good walking trails. Mostly flat with a gentle incline toward Halswell.
Bike Hire in Christchurch
Several bike hire operators in the city centre make cycling accessible for visitors. Electric bikes are increasingly available and make the Port Hills and longer rides much more achievable. City bikes can be hired near the Botanic Gardens. The Christchurch City Council's cycling maps are free and available at the i-SITE and online — essential for navigating the cycleway network efficiently.
Local Tips
- Helmets are legally required in New Zealand — hire operators will provide them, but bring your own if you have one.
- The nor'west wind in Christchurch can be very strong — avoid exposed coastal and ridge routes on high-wind days.
- E-bikes are widely available for hire and make the Port Hills and longer rail trails much more accessible.
- The Little River Rail Trail can be combined with an overnight stay at Little River — book ahead in summer.
- The Christchurch cycling maps are free from the visitor centre and much better than relying on Google Maps for off-road routes.
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