Riccarton is a region known for its diverse outdoor opportunities, whether referring to the suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand, or the village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The area encompasses a mix of urban green spaces, ancient forests, and accessible plains, providing varied landscapes for outdoor pursuits. These environments support several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, jogging, and more.
In Riccarton, outdoor enthusiasts can explore more than 10 routes across several sports, including road…
92
Routes
4.3
(42)
Average rating
1168
People visited

5.0
(1)
129
riders
69.5km
03:20
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.7
(3)
52
riders
54.2km
02:30
470m
470m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

6
riders
25.1km
01:11
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
66
riders
40.6km
01:47
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
65
hikers
4.71km
01:16
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
hikers
3.87km
01:03
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
hikers
9.02km
02:19
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
hikers
8.70km
02:18
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
73.4km
05:16
660m
660m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.0
(2)
1
riders
17.6km
01:07
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
riders
49.0km
03:05
440m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
35
riders
50.6km
02:55
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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48.0km
03:31
420m
420m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

16
riders
10.8km
00:55
170m
170m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
24.4km
01:56
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

61.0km
04:13
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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53
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

20
runners
9.70km
01:00
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
runners
5.32km
00:33
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
11.1km
01:10
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
4
riders
33.1km
01:55
180m
180m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
43.4km
02:25
400m
400m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
77.0km
04:37
900m
900m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
27.4km
01:34
180m
180m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Riccarton offers diverse outdoor activities including Road cycling, Touring cycling, Hiking, Jogging, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 10 routes across these sports. These routes have received an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 stars from over 11,000 visitors.
Yes, Riccarton provides opportunities for road cycling. The Uni-Cycle major cycleway passes through the area, connecting the University of Canterbury to the Central City. Detailed routes and information can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Riccarton guide.
Touring cyclists can explore routes in Riccarton and the surrounding Christchurch area. The Cycling around Riccarton guide provides specific routes. The Little River Rail Trail, a 27-mile (44 km) shared trail, is also accessible from the wider Christchurch region.
Riccarton features several hiking trails, notably within Riccarton Bush (Pūtaringamotu). This ancient forest offers nearly 900 meters of flat, well-maintained pathways. The Hiking around Riccarton guide lists available routes, including Easy hikes around Riccarton.
Jogging trails are available in Riccarton, particularly within Riccarton Bush (Pūtaringamotu), which offers flat pathways amidst native forest. The Running Trails around Riccarton guide provides more information on suitable routes for joggers.
Riccarton Bush (Pūtaringamotu) is a 7.8-hectare remnant of ancient podocarp forest located near the city center. It features towering kahikatea trees, some up to 600 years old, and is a haven for native wildlife. It offers tranquil pathways for walking and jogging.
Dogs are generally prohibited within Riccarton Bush itself to protect native wildlife. However, dogs on a leash are permitted on the Riccarton House grounds. Policies for other shared paths and trails in the wider Christchurch area may vary.
Riccarton and the surrounding Christchurch area offer family-friendly cycling options, including shared paths like sections of the Uni-Cycle major cycleway. The Little River Rail Trail, a 27-mile (44 km) shared trail, is also suitable for families. These routes often avoid busier roads.
The outdoor routes in Riccarton are popular on komoot, with over 11,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The available routes have an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Komoot offers several guides for Riccarton, including Road Cycling Routes around Riccarton, Cycling around Riccarton, Hiking around Riccarton, and Running Trails around Riccarton. Guides for mountain biking, gravel biking, and easy hikes are also available.
For more information regarding Riccarton, the official website is riccartoncommunityhub.org.nz. General inquiries can also be directed to +64 3 941 8999.

