Crater Rim Walkway

Crater Rim Walkway is a day-hike traverse across the Port Hills in Christchurch, New Zealand, built around following the rim of an ancient volcanic crater.

The full walkway is mapped as a long ridge walk (about 23.4 km; a bit longer than the “~21 km expected” range), so plan to tackle it in sections unless you’re set up for the full time on your feet.

The route is commonly split into smaller out-and-back or short traverse options; one example is Sign of the Kiwi to Sign of the Bellbird at about ~7 km return, positioned for a quicker ridge walk.

Another popular split is an Evans Pass to Godley Head style loop at about ~8 km return, which shifts toward a coastal-feeling section with multiple significant high points along the way.

If you want the bigger commitment, Sign of the Kiwi to Coopers Knob is described as the harder longer option at about 16 km (out-and-back), typically run as a long day hike.

On the eastern end, the track runs as singletrack from Sugarloaf toward Godley Head, paralleling Summit Road and nearby joint-use mountain bike corridors but rated as a more challenging hike because it goes up and down the main peaks rather than skirting them.

Along that eastern segment, signage and markers are part of the character of the route: waratahs (fence posts with orange plastic on top) and the original NZ Walkways wooden posts are used to keep you on track, and junctions with roads and other tracks are signposted.

More information: Crater Rim Walk | Top Day Walk from Christchurch & Lyttelto, Crater Rim Walkway Map, Christchurch area ... - Plan My Walk, Crater Rim Walkway, Christchurch area, Canterbury, New Zealand