Rakaia Gorge Walkway is an out-an-back walkway beginning at the state highway bridge across the Rakaia River, a short distance from Methven. The river’s name Rakaia means to ‘arrange in ranks’, referring to the need for travelling parties to order themselves downstream from strongest to weakest, to withstand the strong currents when crossing the river.
| Details | |
| Length | 3.2 km return (first lookout); 10.5 km return (full track) |
| Time Required | 1 hr return (first lookout); 3-4 hr return (full track) |
| Trail Type | Walking track |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 280 m |
| Max Elevation | 440 m |
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Rakaia Gorge Walkway is not connected to any other tracks.
1 hr from Christchurch | 15 min from Methven
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 below, provides views downstream back to the highway bridge, downstream of which below the river starts to fan out across the 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. The coal mining area was in operation in the late 1800s until 1904, and features 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 the coal mines to complete the loop.
Return the way you came.
Note that parts of the track can be quite muddy. The river is accessible for swimming at many points along the track, but be aware that the current can be deceptively strong.
Rakaia Gorge Walkway is an out-an-back walkway beginning at the state highway bridge across the Rakaia River, a short distance from Methven. The river’s name Rakaia means to ‘arrange in ranks’, referring to the need for travelling parties to order themselves downstream from strongest to weakest, to withstand the strong currents when crossing the river.
| Details | |
| Length | 3.2 km return (first lookout); 10.5 km return (full track) |
| Time Required | 1 hr return (first lookout); 3-4 hr return (full track) |
| Trail Type | Walking track |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 280 m |
| Max Elevation | 440 m |
1 hr from Christchurch | 15 min from Methven
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 below, provides views downstream back to the highway bridge, downstream of which below the river starts to fan out across the 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. The coal mining area was in operation in the late 1800s until 1904, and features 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 the coal mines to complete the loop.
Return the way you came.
The river is accessible for swimming at many points along the track, but be aware that the current can be deceptively strong.
Rakaia Gorge Walkway is not connected to any other tracks.
Updated 28 March 2024