Sorry Barnett Park walk remains closed after the Christchurch earthquake as there is a significant rockfall hazard.
However, you can walk up Eastenders Track which is a safe route up to the Crater Rim Walkway. Still great views into Barnett Park and out over the estuary.
From Barnett Park, walk across the sports field towards the head of the valley. A small bridge crosses a creek, and the track starts to climb up the eastern flank. Here you leave the old track and follow the new one which branches off uphill. It follows several twists and turns to link up with a 4WD track and finishes at the stand of large pine trees on Summit Road.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Christchurch Area, South Island
- Distance: 3.50 km
- Time needed: 2 Hours
- Difficulty: Medium
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Round Trip
- Elevation: 230m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Yes
- Last Updated: November 2020
We’ve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gear to bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). Worldwide international shipping is available except to the USA. Bulky orders will be $20.
Summary points about this walk
Womens Hiking Gear
Guided Walking Tours
Points of interest along the walk
Point 1: Barnett Park Walk
Drive to the very end of Barnett Park car park then walk across the park; looking up the valley, and you can see the caves. Keep over to the right-hand side of the field and walk to the back fence. You will then have to climb over a style and onto the track proper, it is only a clay track, so take it easy after it’s rained.
Point 2: Easy climb to the top
The track is well worn and very easy to follow. The sight of the cave should give you that extra power to get to the top.
Point 3: Barnett Valley Cave
40 minutes should see you at the steps. OOOPS did I forget to tell you about the step aerobics. Well when you get to the top of the steps it is downhill all the way back to the car. Fantastic views of the coast, if you are the first to make it to the caves, be prepared for the exodus of pigeons, they gave me a fright. If it does rain don’t worry. There is enough room in the cave for two football teams.
Point 4: Down Hill
The track is easy to follow. You can see the car park from half way along the track. You will see another track over to your right just before the houses. Take the track to the left which drops down in to the valley and back to the style you climbed over at the start.
What sort of walking and hiking gear will you need
We’ve partnered with Macpac outdoor walking & hiking gear to bring you the very best products designed exclusively for our New Zealand climate. They’ll ship for FREE within NZ on orders over $100 (if under $100 it’s only $5). Worldwide international shipping is available except to the USA. Bulky orders will be $20.