Last updated November 2026
The Ōhinetahi tracks are a network of narrow bush and hill tracks in Ōhinetahi Bush Reserve, which climbs from above Governors Bay to the crater rim of the Port Hills. You can start from laybys and car parks on Summit Road or from Governors Bay, and combine short tracks such as Bush Road, Ellas, Totara Log and O’Farrells into loops.
Next door, the Orongomai Trail is a 3.5 km loop from the Sign of the Bellbird through what Christchurch City Council calls some of the best native forest remaining on the Port Hills. The council describes the ground as steep and mostly narrow, best suited to fit, sure-footed walkers in tramping boots.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check with Summit Road Society and Christchurch City Council for updates on Ōhinetahi Tracks and Orongomai Trail on the day you walk.
More from Christchurch City Council
Practical Information
- Start
- Summit Road layby opposite Kennedys Bush car park, the Sign of the Bellbird, or Governors Bay
- Distance from the city
- About 11 km from Christchurch
- Reserve size
- About 150 hectares (Ōhinetahi Bush Reserve)
- Tracks
- 16 named tracks in Ōhinetahi, plus the Orongomai Trail loop
- Walking time
- The four tracks described here take 40 minutes to an hour one way; Orongomai Trail takes 1 hour 15 minutes return
- Dogs
- On a short leash on all Ōhinetahi tracks; prohibited on the Orongomai Trail
- Bikes and horses
- Not permitted in Ōhinetahi Reserve
- Toilets
- Sign of the Bellbird and Governors Bay Hall
- Managed by
- Summit Road Society (Ōhinetahi); Christchurch City Council (Orongomai Trail)
- Status
- Check Christchurch City Council and the Summit Road Society before you go.
About Ōhinetahi Tracks
Ōhinetahi Bush Reserve covers about 150 hectares of the slope between Governors Bay and Allandale, mostly above the 150 m contour and up to the old volcanic crater rim.
The Summit Road Society owns and manages it, and it is protected in perpetuity under a Queen Elizabeth II covenant. The society’s volunteer work party built the tracks and still maintains them.
The reserve is a mix of open grassland, bracken, regenerating native forest, scattered mataī and mature tōtara, and fern-filled gullies. Bellbirds lead the birdsong, and the society lists fantails, silvereyes, grey warblers and native pigeons as common, with the odd tomtit.
Around half the reserve was damaged in the 2017 Port Hills fires, and the council asks walkers to take particular care in the damaged areas.
The council lists 16 tracks: Faulkners, Ellas, Cass Ridge, O’Farrells, Bush Road, Watlings, Trig V, Titoki, South Boundary, Ngaio, Totara Log, Kanuka, Wai-iti, North Boundary, Duke Street and Bivvy. Most are short, so the fun is in linking them. This is closer to a tramp than a stroll, and suits walkers happy with steep, narrow tracks.
Tracks to Start With
Bush Road Track
About 1 km and 45 minutes one way. Park at the Summit Road layby opposite Kennedys Bush car park, which the council describes as the third layby on the left about 1.5 km from the Sign of the Kiwi.
Walk east along the Crater Rim Walkway for about five minutes to the signed junction, then zig-zag steeply down the ridge through forested gullies to O’Farrells Track.
Ellas Track
About 1.4 km and 40 minutes one way from the same layby, heading west. Ellas sidles below volcanic bluffs with views over Lyttelton Harbour, gets rockier, then opens onto a large grassy area below the Sign of the Bellbird car park before reaching Cass Ridge Track.
Totara Log Track
About 1.2 km and 45 minutes one way, linking Bush Road Track with Ellas Track around a rock outcrop and spur. With Bivvy Track it lets you make circuits in the central and western parts of the reserve.
O’Farrells Track
About 2.7 km and an hour one way, and the council says it offers some of the most gentle walking in the reserve: a grassy track through kānuka that sidles the hillside above Governors Bay from Cass Ridge Track to Bush Road Track.
The Summit Road Society says it was bulldozed in the 1970s by Gerald O’Farrell, who once owned much of this land. Climbing back up Bush Road Track brings you to the Crater Rim Walkway and Summit Road.
Orongomai Trail
The Orongomai Trail is a 3.5 km loop from the Sign of the Bellbird in Kennedys Bush, taking about 1 hour 15 minutes return. It passes the shelter and toilet, crosses a stile and zig-zags down through bush.
Below the Quarry Trail junction the track gets rougher as it drops to a small stream. At a stream junction it climbs beside the second stream past large tōtara and mataī, then returns up through kānuka forest, following the signs back to the start. Dogs are prohibited.
Before You Go
The council’s Ōhinetahi track pages say closures can happen and point walkers to the Summit Road Society for updates. Check both, and the council’s tracks and safety page, on the day. The council also suggests Plan My Walk, from the NZ Mountain Safety Council, for track alerts and the forecast. Wear boots with good grip and tell someone your plans.
Where to Learn More
Christchurch City Council: Ōhinetahi walks and tracks: the list of tracks in the reserve, with links to each track page and map.
Summit Road Society: Ohinetahi Bush Reserve: the reserve’s history, forest and birds, and the volunteer work party.
Christchurch City Council: Orongomai Trail: route, time and dog rules for the loop from the Sign of the Bellbird.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the Ōhinetahi tracks start?
From Summit Road, mainly the layby opposite Kennedys Bush car park and the Sign of the Bellbird, or from Governors Bay below.
How hard are the tracks?
The council describes the terrain as steep with mostly narrow tracks, and recommends reasonable fitness, sure footing and tramping boots. O’Farrells Track offers some of the most gentle walking in the reserve.
Can I take my dog?
Yes on the Ōhinetahi tracks, on a short leash. Dogs are prohibited on the Orongomai Trail.
Can I bike in Ōhinetahi Reserve?
No. The Summit Road Society says horses and bikes are not permitted in the reserve.
How long is the Orongomai Trail?
A 3.5 km loop from the Sign of the Bellbird, about 1 hour 15 minutes return.
Are there toilets?
The council lists toilets at the Sign of the Bellbird and Governors Bay Hall.
Where can I check if the track is open?
Check Christchurch City Council and the Summit Road Society before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track line and facts: Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, Outdoor Access Commission, from LINZ and DOC data (CC BY 4.0). Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.