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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -43.79786, 173.03215. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 2.4 km return return via same track
- Walking time
- 40 min return
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- Banks Peninsula area
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This track gives you panoramic views of Banks Peninsula. It also has a variety of beech forest and interesting herb plants along the way.
This DOC directory entry covers Ellangowan Scenic Reserve Track in Canterbury, within Banks Peninsula area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.4 km return return via same track
- Walking time: 40 min return
- DOC grade: Intermediate
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This reserve is the northeastern limit of beech trees on Banks Peninsula. There are good views from the lookout at the top. There's a good contrast between wetter and drier faces, and many of the rocky bluffs are home to many interesting herbs.
From the DOC sign on Hickory Bay Road, the track climbs through snow tussock and scrub up to the Hickory Bay ridge. It then goes along the ridge to a rocky outlook on a 12 m bluff near the centre of the reserve.
The lookout offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The track then drops down to the Hickory Bay ridge through beautiful beech forest to meet with Hickory Bay Road, with a short walk back to the beginning.
Getting there
From Akaroa, find Long Bay Road and drive 7 km up it to the Summit Road junction known as the 'Cabstand'. Turn onto Hickory Bay Road and travel 1 km to the signposted car park.
From the carpark walk down the road for 5 minutes to pick up the start of the track. The track start is marked with a DOC sign.
Know before you go
The top of the track is exposed and can be affected by bad weather. For example, strong winds and low cloud. Stay to the marked track.
Parts of the track cross exposed rocks and steep sections.
Fires are not allowed in the reserve.
There is no toilet located here – the nearest public toilet is in Akaroa village or at the Otepatotu Reserve. This reserve is 7.5 km along the Summit Road.
Take care near stinging nettle
Urtica ferox (ongaonga) is an endemic stinging nettle and common in this area. Take care not to touch these plants as they have a very strong sting. Ongaonga are an important host plant of Vanessa gonerilla (kahukura), the endemic red admiral butterfly.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
