Hit the trail

North Canterbury is home to a growing number of cycle trails, suitable for all ages. Here are some to try next time you’re in the area.

Amberley to Leithfield
8.3km, 1 hour
Stage 1 of the Amberley Area Cycle Trails (AACT) is open so you can now cycle, walk or run safely between Amberley and Leithfield without needing to use State Highway 1.
Starting near the Old Leithfield Hotel the trail crosses the usually dry Kowai Riverbed, passes through a scenic farm, then follows Stockdills Rd, on to Grays Rd, past the Recycling/Transfer Station, to the corner of State Highway 1 and Grays Rd.
An alternative to the Grays Rd, Stockdills Rd, and Riverlea Farm route is to cross the Kowai on the downstream side of the SH1 bridge and use Hursley Terrace and Amberley Beach roads to enter Amberley.

Leithfield Village to Leithfield Beach
3.6km, 20 min
The trail to the beach starts on the banks of the Kowai River, upstream at Terrace Rd. It then crosses under SH1 and continues on down the banks of the Kowai River to its mouth, running south from there behind the sand dunes to the small coastal settlement.
An off-road lime chip path connects the beach alongside
Kings Rd back to SH1 at Pukeko Junction.