Ryde Falls Track from Coopers Creek
Time/Distance: 3 hours one way. 7km
Grade: Half Day
Access:
Oxford Forest Conservation Area covers an area of 11,350 hectares with tracks through the tawai/beech and scattered podocarp forests. Choose from day walks, overnight tramps or mountain biking (permitted on the Wharfedale Track only). Lighting of fires is prohibited during periods of extreme fire risk, and some areas or tracks may be closed.
Please note these tracks are managed by Department of Conservation and it is advised to always check their website for any closures prior to embarking on your journey
Mt Oxford Track from Coopers Creek
Time/Distance: 4 hours one way, 5km
Grade: Day Walk
Access:
Description:
Beech forests, snow tussock and views of the Canterbury Plains into Lees Valley.
An alternative descent returns to Coopers Creek car park via Ryde Falls Track (7-8 hours round trip).
Korimako Track (To Ryde Falls)
Time/Distance: 2hrs one way, 3km
Grade: Half Day
Access:
View Hill car park. From Oxford, drive west on SH72 for about 2km, turn right into Woodstock Road. Travel 10km, turn right up Ingrams Road which turns into Perhams Road. Take the sign posted road to the Wharfedale Track at the View Hill car park. (Heavy rain may stop access on fords). Leave gates as you find them. From the car park, follow the Wharfedale Track to the Korimako Track turn-off to Ryde Falls.
View Hill to Coopers Creek
Time/Distance: 3hrs one way, 7km
Grade: Half Day
Access:
View Hill car park. From Oxford, drive west on SH72 for about 2km, turn right into Woodstock Road. Travel 10km, turn right up Ingrams Road which turns into Perhams Road. Take the sign posted road to the Wharfedale Track at the View Hill car park. (Heavy rain may stop access on fords). Leave gates as you find them. From the car park, follow the Wharfedale Track to the Korimako Track turn-off to Ryde Falls.
Description:
Canterbury Plains and hills, beech forest.
Take the Wharfedale Track about 10 minutes into the forest from the car park and join take the Link Track which connects further with Ryde Falls Track east to Coopers Creek car park.
Mt Oxford Track from View Hill
Time/Distance: 4 hrs one way, 6 km
Grade: Day Walk
Access:
View Hill car park. From Oxford, drive west on SH72 for about 2km, turn right into Woodstock Road. Travel 10km, turn right up Ingrams Road which turns into Perhams Road. Take the sign posted road to the Wharfedale Track at the View Hill car park. (Heavy rain may stop access on fords). Leave gates as you find them. From the car park, follow the Wharfedale Track. Branch off Wharfedale Track about 20 minutes from View Hill car park.
Wharfedale Track
Time/Distance: 5hrs one way, 15km
Grade: Day Walk
Access:
View Hill car park. From Oxford, drive west on SH72 for about 2km, turn right into Woodstock Road. Travel 10km, turn right up Ingrams Road which turns into Perhams Road. Take the sign posted road to the Wharfedale Track at the View Hill car park. (Heavy rain may stop access on fords). Leave gates as you find them. From the car park, follow the Wharfedale Track to the Korimako Track turn-off to Ryde Falls.
Description:
Viewing: Beech Forest, Dobson Stream.
Accommodation: Standard 8-bunk hut, purchase hut tickets from Kaiapoi i-SITE or any DOC office beforehand.
Townshend Track (from the Wharfedale Hut to Lees Valley)
Time/Distance: 2.5 hours one way. 8.5km one way
Grade: Multi Day
Access:
Description:
This is a 4WD track from the end of Wharfedale Track to Lees Valley across private farmland. Access may be restricted during lambing. Townshend River is crossed twice; this might not be possible if river levels are high.
Black Hill Track (From end of Townshend Track to Black Hill Hut)
Time/Distance: 3hrs one way, 5km
Grade: Multi Day
Access:
Begin confluence of Wharfedale and Townshend tracks and climb steadily to the hut.
Description:
Accommodation: Standard 6-bunk hut, purchase hut tickets from the Kaiapoi i-SITE or DOC office beforehand.
Fosters Ridge Track (From Wharfedale Track to Black Hill hut)
Time/Distance: 3hrs one way, 3.5km
Grade: Multi Day
Access:
Turn off Wharfedale Track approx 3-4 hours from View hill car park and climb steeply along the ridge to the hut.
Description:
Accommodation: Standard 6-bunk hut, purchase hut tickets from the Kaiapoi i-SITE or DOC office beforehand.
Mt Oxford Route (From Wharfedale Hut to View Hill to Mt Oxford)
Time/Distance: 3hrs one way, 3.5km
Grade: Multi Day
Access:
From Wharfedale Hut.
Description:
Adjoining Tracks: Descend either View Hill Car park or carry on to the summit and then descend to Coopers Creek car park.
Note: This is a very steep rough track suitable only for experienced back country trampers with suitable equipment.
Please note these tracks are managed by Department of Conservation and it is advised to always check their website for any closures prior to embarking on your journey.
Visit the Kaiapoi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre or the DOC Rangiora Office for more information, hut tickets and local topo maps.
Department of Conservation: 32 River Road, Rangiora. Open 8.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday. 03 313 0820 | waimakariri@doc.govt.nz