Adventure to the Backside

Note: The south side of the Port Hills is a maze of small, often overgrown tracks. This route links more than ten trails and is best followed using a GPS track rather than written directions.

Start at the Christchurch Adventure Park and climb the main hiking trail for 5.5 km until it meets a gravel road near the top. Turn right towards the gate and exit onto Worsleys Track. Continue up the final, steep section to reach the metal gate and the top of Worsleys Road. Head down Worsleys Road, then turn right onto Summit Road. After 100 m, a small car park and stile on the left mark the entry to the Crater Rim Track.

Follow the Crater Rim for about 1.7 km to where it splits. Take the left fork onto Ella’s Track, which skirts the southern face of the hill before rejoining the Crater Rim. Continue along the ridge, past the Sign of the Bellbird, for about 3 km. Look for a stile marking the Living Springs Track descending the harbour side. This track crosses private farmland and is sometimes closed during lambing season.

Descend Living Springs Track and stay on the main route, ignoring side roads to the right. After a farm gate, it becomes O’Farrells Track, traversing east across open farmland and bush. When it seems to fade in an overgrown section, push through – the path continues into the forest. Keep following O’Farrells until you meet Cass Ridge Track on your left, about 14 km in.

Climb steeply up Cass Ridge until it meets Ella’s Track again. Turn right to rejoin the Crater Rim and continue briefly before turning right down Totara Log Track – a steep, technical descent requiring care. The track merges into Bush Road Track, which bends back uphill. Follow it to a right turn onto Duke Street, then continue into South Boundary Track. Stay on South Boundary until it meets Faulkners Track for a final, punishing climb back to the Crater Rim.

Turn right to follow the familiar Crater Rim section and descend via Worsleys Road. Re-enter the Adventure Park through the lower gate and take the hiking trail back to the car park.

Approximate distance: 25–27 km. Expect steep climbs, technical descents, and navigation challenges — a demanding but rewarding circuit of the Port Hills.