Tenahaun Conservation Area tramping tracks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

The Tenahaun Conservation Area includes walks in the Moorhouse Range and Rangitata Gorge. The Moorhouse Range can be mountain biked along the easement only.

This DOC directory entry covers Tenahaun Conservation Area tramping tracks in Canterbury, within Tenahaun Conservation 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
• DOC grade: Advanced

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

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Mt Tripp and Moorhouse Range

Follow the marked public access easement from the end of Chapmans Road to the Hinds River south branch. Public conservation land starts here and gives access to Moorhouse Range and Mt Tripp.

Moorhouse Range can be reached by walking to the end of the public access easement and then following the ridge line, which leads to point 1095. Routes are not marked and this area is suitable for fit and experienced trampers.

Rangitata Gorge

At the start of the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) follow the marked public access easement up the face of the terrace. Once this section has been climbed the route is relatively easy-going and gives good views down into the Rangitata Gorge. The RDR ends at Highbank Power Station.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is possible on the Mt Tripp and Moorhouse Range route (along the easement only). Once public conservation land is reached there are no suitable tracks.

Getting there

From Geraldine

Mt Tripp and Moorhouse Range: Turn off Main South Road (Highway 72) at Ealing and follow Ealing Montalto Road for 19.5 km. At the ‘T’ junction, turn left onto Hinds Gorge Road and then right onto Chapmans Road. The public access easement starts at the end of this road.

Rangitata Gorge: Turn off Arundel Rakaia Road (Highway 72) at Ealing, which is on the bank of the Rangitata River. Follow Ealing Montalto Road for 14 km and turn left on Klondyke Terrace. This road continues to the Rangitata Diversion Race intake at the Rangitata River. A public access easement starts from this point.

From Methven

Mt Tripp and Moorhouse Range: Follow Arundel Rakaia Road (Highway 72) to Mayfield and then turn right onto Mayfield Klondyke Road. At Montalto turn right onto Hinds Gorge Road and follow this for 9 km. Turn right onto Chapmans Road. The public access easement starts at the end of this road.

Rangitata Gorge: Follow Arundel Rakaia Road (Highway 72) to Mayfield and then turn right onto Mayfield Klondyke Road. At Montalto turn left onto Mayfield Klondyke Road; at the crossroads go straight ahead onto Klondyke Terrace. This road continues to the Rangitata Diversion Race intake at the Rangitata River. A public access easement starts from this point.

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.