Dog-friendly trails

Spending time in the great outdoors with your precious pooch is one of the very best things about being a dog owner. Canterbury is full of wide-open spaces for weekend adventures together – check out a few of these dog-friendly trails.

Pinchgut Hut
Wind through the valleys along the Onuku river and you’ll discover Pinchgut Hut. The trail can be customised to form a longer loop or turn your walk into a multi-day adventure. Roughly five hours return. Dogs: Off-leash as long as under effective control.

Mt Cloudsley
Start at Castle Hill Village, and climb the Long Spur track to the summit of Mt Cloudsley. As the second-highest peak in the Craigieburn Range, the views are amazing. Roughly three hours return. Dogs: Off-leash allowed, but a challenging track for experienced dogs only.

Mt Richardson
Several tracks at the Canterbury foothills create a loop that heads to the top of Mt Richardson. Start at the Glentui picnic area, then hike up to the summit. Roughly 4-6 hours return. Dogs: Must be on a leash at all times.

Lake Emma
For a relaxed walk that is mostly flat, start at Lake Camp and finish at the Lake Emma Hut. Enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Note that dogs are not allowed on the shores of Lake Camp or Lake Clearwater. Roughly 5 hours return. Dogs: Off-leash as long as under effective control.