The Luge Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track links the Broken River and Craigieburn valleys, via Lyndon Saddle.

This DOC directory entry covers The Luge Track in Canterbury, within Craigieburn Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 3.3 km one way
• Walking time: 1 hr 45 min
• 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 allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Broken Hill Road to Lyndon Saddle

Time: 45 min (downhill)

Distance: 2.1 km

The Luge Track begins on Broken River Road, shortly after the bridge over Cave Stream. Follow the track through low glacial terraces with some tall attractive beech forest. It climbs steadily to Lyndon Saddle.

Here you have the option of:

• Returning back to your car the way you came

• Continuing on The Luge Track into Craigieburn Valley (this is described below)

• Following Helicopter Hill Track to the summit of Helicopter Hill (a 1 hour return walk from Lyndon Saddle; walking only, no bikes)

• Taking a loop back to your car by following Mistletoe Track down to the Craigieburn picnic area, then walking up Broken River Road to your car (around 20 minutes walk; walking only, no bikes)

Lyndon Saddle to Craigieburn Edge Track

Time: 15 min one way

Distance: 750 m

From Lyndon Saddle, the track sidles across an open Dracophyllum and tussock-covered face. It then drops through beech forest to the Craigieburn Valley.

The track meets Craigieburn Edge Track (also called Craigieburn Valley Track). Here you can either turn left towards Craigieburn Valley ski field, or right to reach the start of the Craigieburn Valley ski field road (15-20 minutes walk).

This section of the track has high avalanche risk – there are avalanches here every season. Even if there is no snow on the track, there can be avalanches that cross the track if there is snow on the slopes above. We recommend using this track outside of avalanche season (generally avalanches occur from May to November).

Loop option: Lyndon Saddle Loop Ride

There is a popular loop ride that uses The Luge Track. It is Intermediate: Grade 3, 8.8 km and takes 1-3 hours to ride.

Start at the Craigieburn picnic area. Ride the Sidle 73 Track to Craigieburn ski field road. Follow the road for around 3 km, then take the Craigieburn Edge Track. Turn off this track at the next junction and take The Luge track over Lyndon Saddle. This track emerges onto Broken River ski field road, then follow this road back down to the picnic area.

Getting there

Turns off State Highway 73 into the Broken River Skifield Road, around 108 km from Christchurch.

Broken River Ski-field Road is extremely narrow and winding, we recommend travelling slowly (20 km per hour) to avoid collisions and to look for areas where two vehicles can get past each other.

In winter, this road may require tyre chains to access. We also recommend not travelling inwards on this road in the afternoons as there can be many vehicles exiting the ski-field.

The track entrance is shortly after the road bridge over Cave Stream.

You can also start this track from Craigieburn Edge Track and Mistletoe Track.

Know before you go

Check the forecast and pack for all weather

Check the forecast before you go. Always carry a raincoat and warm layers. This area gets hot in summer, so bring plenty of water and sun protection. Find a day hike packing list here.

Weather forecasts for Mt Cheeseman and Canterbury High Country.

There is avalanche risk in sections of this track

The track between Lyndon Saddle and Craigieburn Edge Track is in an avalanche zone. These can occur anytime when there is now on the upper slopes, most commonly between May and November. We recommend avoiding this track during these times, and checking the NZ Avalanche Advisory if there may be snow.

Expect wasps, especially in summer and early autumn

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.

Shared use area

This track is used by walkers and mountain bikers – be respectful of other users. Mountain bikers should go slow and be ready to encounter walkers.

Some people walk this track as part of a loop walk, by following Broken River road back to their car. Be careful of cars and supervise children closely. The road can be very busy during the ski season.

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.