One of our favorite day hikes

Christchurch, itself, is incredibly flat. But immediately to the south (not even 15 minutes from our house) are the Port Hills, remnants of an ancient volcanic complex.

When the first European settlers arrived in the 1850s, they arrived in the protected harbour on the south side of the Port Hills. (The Lyttelton Harbour is still the major port for the entire region today.) The settlers then had the fun task of walking the 1.6 miles up and over those hills, into the plains of what would become Christchurch.


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As the Christchurch City Council puts it: "The path was hacked [over the hill] by a working party in 1851. The Bridle Path soon became the main access way for families of pioneers bringing household goods and personal belongings over the Hills. The horses had to be led by the bridle to the Summit - thus the name Bridle Path."

In other words - the path is steep. I can't imagine being a settler and having to lug all your stuff over the hill. But as an afternoon day hike, it's now one of our favorites. The views are beautiful, and well worth the exertion. Well, the views, and the chance for a cold drink or ice cream when you get to Lyttelton...

Here are a couple of photos we took when we first walked the Bridle Path back in January. Now that we're well into fall, the hills are bright green. Come the middle of winter, there should be a couple of days with a light dusting of snow on them.

Looking north (towards Christchurch) from the top of the path. To the right is the Pacific Ocean; to the left (and just out of the photo) is downtown Christchurch:

Looking south, towards Lyttelton, from the top of the path and then from about half way down. (That's Anna and Bede in the first photo.)


We hope you'll get a chance to come and join us one afternoon for the walk.