New connections to the Hurunui Heartland Ride

A fantastic new riding opportunity in Christchurch heads north from the city centre, on a string of cycle paths to Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and beyond to connect to the Hurunui Heartland Ride.

The well-established Papanui Parallel leads to Rutland Reserve, on the edge of the city.

From there the smoothest path in the country follows the Christchurch Northern Corridor to the Waimakariri River, where the bridge has a new clip-on shared path for safe crossing. Only 21 km from town, the cafés of Kaiapoi are the perfect destination for a short ride. However, the wonderful Passchendaele Path leads on to Rangiora, another great place to refuel in style. Beyond Rangiora, a mix of roads and cycle paths lead to Amberley, Culverden, and Kaikoura.

The full Hurunui Heartland Ride is 260 kilometres long and details can be found on the NZ Cycle Trail website.

Above: A cyclist on the shared pathway. Photo by Jonathan Kennett