A skyline worth giving time to

After five years of planning, negotiating, and surveying, a small Canterbury community group has reached the summit — literally.

The Ashley Gorge Tracks Group, a volunteer-led crew with big ambitions, has been working on a dream: a new high-country trail offering sweeping views of the Canterbury landscape. With DOC’s support, they have created a loop track that climbs to a new skyline viewpoint, links to their existing network of tracks, and offers a 4-5-hour tramping experience, reaching an altitude of nearly 800m, which people can enjoy year-round.

To finish the loop walk, one piece was missing: a short section of public access across freehold land adjoining the Mt Thomas Forest Conservation Area. Without this easement, the loop couldn’t be completed.

Last week, that final section was officially registered as a walkway easement (as marked in red dots on the map).

The new walkway easement unlocks the stunning high point on the Ashley Gorge Skyline Trail. From up top, walkers will stand above the Canterbury forests, foothills and plains, with 360-degree views reaching seaward as far as Pegasus Bay, Christchurch City and the Port Hills, and inland to the Torlesse and Puketeraki Ranges. It’s a place the Ashley Gorge Tracks Group knew was worth sharing with others.

Bringing the trail to life took community goodwill. Funding from the Commission’s Enhanced Access Grants helped cover survey and legal costs. Both the surveyor, Fox & Associates, and solicitor, Helmores Lawyers, who worked on the easement, voluntarily contributed part of their work pro bono, recognising the value of the project and the local people behind it. Local businesses Mitre 10 and Farmlands, along with the Oxford Lions Club, funded the materials for the easement fence line. Then there are the hundreds of community volunteer hours to find, mark and cut out the route and erect snow poles and fencing.

This kind of specialised pro bono support is a reminder that community-led projects inspire people well beyond just lacing up their boots to walk with them.

With the easement now in place, walkers will experience the loop the group always imagined — a climb to the skyline, sweeping views over Canterbury, and a chance to see this special place.

Photo credit: Ashley Gorge Tracks Group