Canterbury has so many walking trails available – we’re so lucky. But when you’re taking kids, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are three of our favourite beginner-friendly hiking trails for kids in Canterbury. I hope they help you get started hiking with kids!

Tōtara Trail

The Tōtara Trail is a lovely short 1.6 km loop located at the Sign of the Bellbird on the Port Hills above Christchurch. We headed up there on a sunny winter day in 2025. The Tōtara Trail leads you down through regenerating native forest. It feels like a tranquil sanctuary away from the city. The kids enjoyed some technical challenges while still finding it achievable. The roots and rocks made things more exciting. We paused often to absorb the gorgeous surroundings. Bellbirds sang their sweet songs and the native flora beckoned us to stop and look. Heading back up the hill, we caught our breath while watching a big kererū above.

Why This Is a Good Canterbury Walk with Kids

This is a great trail for introducing younger kids to the world of tramping. One of the best pieces of advice I see circulating on social media is to start by finding something local and low-key. This one is short enough to keep things enjoyable when kids are first getting into hiking. It still offers a bit of adventure with roots and rocks on the trail. Kids will enjoy spotting native birds and plants along the way. There is also a historic stone building at the start of the walk to explore. The loop format means there’s no boring backtracking, which is always a win when hiking with kids!

There are options to extend the adventure once kids build confidence. Here are some nearby trails starting from the same spot:

Fantail Track
Quarry Track
Koromiko Track

From the car park, you also get fantastic views over Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour.

Good to Know

Distance: 1.6 km loop

Difficulty: Easy–moderate for kids

Amenities: Long-drop toilet at the start - down a little track from the stone building.

Parking: Sealed parking on the harbour side of Summit Road near the Sign of the Bellbird. Cross the road to reach the trailhead, where there is a basic map on a sign for all the tracks.

Pin Drop to Parking - Click Here (always check for updates on roads before heading out)

See our Instagram reel HERE or on Facebook HERE

Other notes:

Historic stone shelter – good for snacks or lunch
Not pram-friendly
Can get muddy in winter or after wet weather.
Bring a changing pad or similar for nappy changes - you will not want to be doing that in a long-drop-style toilet
The walk is under the shade of the trees, making it suitable for sunny summer days.

Kererū Loop Track (North Canterbury)

The Kererū Loop Track forms a loop with the Red Pine and Wooded Gully tracks. It’s located in the Mt Thomas Conservation Area in North Canterbury and starts from the Wooded Gully picnic area. This is a fabulous spot for nature play. A river runs through it, with plenty for tamariki to explore. Look for creatures in the water, throw rocks from the riverbank, forage, and smash open walnuts. There are also big grassy areas for games.

Back to the track… it’s easy terrain. DOC considers it pram-friendly, though I’d suggest an off-road pram. It’s full of birdsong, native bush, and interesting fungi (season dependent). Wooded Gully is also a basic campsite.

Why This Is a Good Canterbury Walk with Kids

Again, this one forms a loop, so no boring backtracking. The birdlife makes the forest feel alive and welcoming. There’s plenty for kids to stop and explore, including fungi, honeydew on beech trees, and the stream. The undulating terrain keeps things interesting. The kids ran down the hills and played in the stream for ages afterwards. It’s a bit of a drive from Christchurch, so take a picnic blanket and some yummy food and make a day of it.

Good to Know

Distance: 1.8 km loop track

Difficulty: easy with kids

Amenities: Basic flushing toilets at the Wooded Gully Campsite

Parking Space at End of Hayland Road as you go around the bend - Pin-drop to parking CLICK HERE (always check for updates on roads before heading out)

Other Notes:

Bring a changing pad or similar for nappy changes - again, not an ideal space provided for this
High wasp populations in the warmer months, it is a good idea to take antihistamines in your first aid kit.

See DOC website for more information - Click Here

See our Instagram reel HERE

Spencer Park Wetland Walk

A short, flat, easy 1 km loop walk located at Spencer Park. It is another perfect introduction to hiking in Canterbury for little kids. The Spencer Park Wetland Walk is doable with a sturdy off-road pram. It loops around wetlands with a mix of boardwalk and tracks. It has a mix of pine forest and native plantings.

The walk is short, but it is interesting enough to make into an explorative adventure. Our kids enjoyed bird spotting and sitting on the giant wooden chairs in the wetland area. There is lots more to do at Spencer Park while you are there. Check out the adventure playground, beach, splash pad, mini golf, picnic spots, and more nearby!

Why This is a Great Christchurch Walk with Kids

The Spencer Park Wetland Walk is so close to Christchurch. It is short but interesting with loads of opportunities for nature play. This makes it perfect for those days when you want to get out but don’t have heaps of time or energy. A great option for introducing younger kids to walking tracks and building confidence. The neighbouring activities make it a great option for a day out.

Good to Know

Distance: 1 km loop

Difficulty: super easy with kids

Amenities: The closest toilets are at Spencer Park

Parking: small area at the entrance - Continue along Heyders Rd past the turn off the to the playground. Continue driving around the one way loop until almost the end of this loop, where you’ll find a little dead end road to the right you can drive down and par beside the wooden sign reading “Wetland Walk” - Pin Drop CLICK HERE

Other Notes:

Not a sealed track, but good off-road prams would can make it around here with a bit of effort.
Make sure to stop and climb the pine trees for a bit. Always check for safety first, like dead branches and wind levels for example.
You can access this walk via another walking track from Spencer Park. This way, you can make it into a bit of a longer walk.
You can find more information on the Christchurch City Council website - Click Here
See our Instagram reel HERE or on Facebook HERE

If you’re a parent looking for beginner-friendly Canterbury walks with kids, these three spots are a great place to start. They’re ideal if you’re just beginning your walking, hiking, or tramping journey with kids, and just as good for a relaxed adventure with more experienced walkers, with plenty to see, climb, and explore along the way.

Feel free to share this post with other families wanting to get outdoors more with their kids. If you’ve tried these walks, let us know what you thought in the comments! Or, drop any questions below.

As always, I would love to hear your recommendations too, so feel free to share your favourite family-friendly walks in Canterbury below!

Until the next adventure,

Jasmine