Rakaia Gorge Walkway

Rakaia Gorge Walkway begins at the historic SH77 bridge across the Rakaia River. On the river side of the road, there is a car park and toilet block.

The walkway crosses the highway and follows the true left of the Rakaia River, initially following close to the river’s edge then climbing up the terrace that marks the downstream end of the gorge. Once at the top of the terrace, you’ll reach the first lookout, 1.6 km from the start. This spot, high above the river, provides views downstream back to the highway bridge, beyond which the river starts to fan out across the Canterbury Plains.

The track continues upriver, sidling the edge of the gorge about 100 m above the river for 2.5 km to the site of the historic Snowdon Mine. Coal mining was in operation here from the late 1800s until 1904, and featured three horizontal shafts (now fenced off, or collapsed).

From here the track makes a loop, which can be done in either direction. Heading clockwise, the track descends toward the river, where a short sidetrack leads down to a beach on the riverbed known as the boat landing. From here the track climbs high to the top of the gorge terrace, where a vantage point (the upper gorge lookout) provides spectacular views west up the gorge, with Mt Hutt in the backdrop. The track then descends back toward Snowdon Mine to complete the loop.

Return the way you came.