Blue Duck Valley Road

Grade: Intermediate
Track distance: 25 km return
Start location: Seaward Valley Station

The track starts 18 km north of Kaikoura at the Seaward Valley Station.
19 km north of Kaikoura. This is a grunt climb up to the famous Blue Duck Valley Scientific Reserve. The area is lowland podocarp forest. The reserve climbs up to the limestone slopes of Mt Alexander ridgeline. 25 kms return.

Clarence Reserve to Forbes Hut

Grade: Advanced
Track distance: 27.8 km one way
Start location: Clarence Reserve Carpark

A good weekend track over the Blind Saddle to Forbes hut to explore the area of the Clarence Reserve. The Clarence is located at the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park and can be described as a vast and rugged high-country landscape straddling the Seaward Kaikōura Range.

To access the track from Kaikōura, follow SH1 south for five kilometers to the Waiau/Mt Lyford turnoff, and head inland to the car park at Kahutara River bridge, 25 kilometres from Kaikōura. There is a locked gate here, however, mountain bikers do not need an access permit. Mountain bikers are requested to use roads and formed tracks only.

The track first crosses the Kahutara River. Bikers need a good level of fitness since there is lots of climbing through farmland and native forest, changing to shrub land then alpine vegetation near the top.

The biggest climb is over the Blinds Saddle up to highest point of the track around 1200m. Make a stop at Blinds Saddle for some rewarding panoramic views. Along the way down the Seymour Stream, you will see some historic huts from the early farming days and following on the Seymour brings you to the Clarence River and Forbes Hut where you can stay overnight.

All operating huts in this area are standard huts, requiring a back country hut season pass or a one-night hut ticket. Huts in the area are all equipped with bunks, drinking water and open fires places, although best to take a portable cooker. Forbes hut has 10 bunk beds.To get out of the valley, it’s the same way you came in.

There are many opportunities for adventure beyond Forbes Hut. For these options, please obtain more information here or check out the map.

Key Highlights

Multiple day track with overnight in huts
Impressive views from Blind Saddle and summit
Expansive and rugged high country

Good to note

Surface – Gravel, 4wd track, riverbed
No fires
Hut pass/ticket required for huts. Kaikoura i-SITE

The Hurunui Trail

Grade: Intermediate
Track distance: 205km / 3-4 days
Start location: Kaikōura / Christchurch

A thoroughly rewarding ride travelling inland, linking Kaikōura to the rest of Canterbury. At the beginning of the Alpine Pacific Touring Route, this trail takes you through the mountain ranges and farmlands of North Canterbury as well as the wine region of Waipara.

A road less travelled than its coastal SH1 counterpart, cyclists can still expect tourist traffic but also a variety of scenery and wildlife to be encountered along the way. Comprised mainly of sealed road, with some gravel sections present, and undulating terrain, a reasonable level of fitness will be required.

Touring bikes are recommended. Electric bikes can be used as per NZ Road Code. Accommodations available throughout the trail in homesteads, B & B’s, motels, campgrounds, and lakeside glamping.

Key highlights:

Scenic views
Range of historic sites, rural attractions, and wineries

Good to note:

Reasonable fitness required
Well-marked trail
The initial day from Kaikōura to Mt. Lyford is longest single stretch with plenty of hills and turns.
No accommodation between Kaikōura & Mt. Lyford.

Talk to iSITE consultants for help with accommodation bookings and logistics along the way.

Useful links:

https://www.hurunuitrails.org.nz/
https://nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/heartland-rides/hurunui-trail/