Crater Rim - Sign of the Bellbird to Ahuriri

This section of the Crater Rim Walkway runs between Ahuriri Reserve, Mt Cass and Ellas Track.

hills

Start Sign of the Bellbird, Summit Road, Port Hills
Finish Sign of the Bellbird, Summit Road, Port Hills
Distance 4km
Time 1.5 hours one way
Toilets Located at the Sign of the Bellbird
Dogs Under effective control
Description

Past the Sign of the Bellbird, the track quickly heads into a lovely second growth native forest full of well-established tree fuchsia and totara. Continue southwards through the grassy tops of Orongomai Reserve, passing through several bush remnants and rock outcrops.

The track climbs away from near the Summit Road and up onto the slopes of Coopers Knob/Omawete. At 573 m, the highest point on the Port Hills, the views down the length of Lyttelton harbour are breathtaking.

A short detour leading to the summit requires a little easy scrambling over rock – this can be slippery in wet weather. A descent through native bush brings you to the end of the Crater Rim Walkway at a car park opposite Ahururi Reserve.

Ahuriri Reserve is a small pocket of bush tucked away on the plains side of the ridge. Carefully fenced, it has maintained its understorey and some fine examples of great old native trees.

Go back to the Sign of the Kiwi to Sign of the Bellbird