Broken River Coal Mine Track
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
An underrated Canterbury day hike you should save
Access: Craigieburn Road (off State Highway 73 near Broken River)
Distance: 10km return (circuit option)
Time: Approximately 4 hours return
Terrain: Tussock hillsides, beech forest, steep incline, narrow slips
Seasonal note: Closed 1 October – 1 December for lambing
Some tracks advertise themselves with big views and dramatic skylines.
The Broken River Coal Mine Track doesn’t.
From the roadside on Craigieburn Road, the route begins quietly — over a fence stile and straight into a steady climb up a ridge. It’s steep from the outset, gaining height quickly before reaching the old railway line that once carried coal from the Broken River Coal Mine to Avoca Railway Station, and onward to Christchurch.
Following the rail line feels like stepping into another era. The gradient eases and the landscape opens, with relics slowly appearing along the way. Rusted metal, weathered timber, and eventually the remains of a boiler and engine sit at the top of the incline.
Coal buckets were hauled up this slope from the mine far below beside Broken River. Standing there now, it’s hard not to imagine the effort it once took.
The top of the incline is an ideal place to pause — explore the relics, sit with the history, and take in the valley stretching beneath you.
Descending the Incline
The recommended route continues down the old incline track, approximately one kilometre to the river.
It is steep — very steep in places.
Remnants of the old incline lie beside the track, and where washouts have removed sections of the rail line, the route diverts into bush. These sections are clearly marked with orange triangles, but they require care. Gravel and loose dirt underfoot can be slippery, particularly in dry conditions. Confident footing and deliberate steps are important here.
Near the river, the track veers left to meet the pack track, which provides a more gradual climb back to the rail line.
Broken River and the Pack Track
Before heading up, it’s worth walking down to Broken River itself. On a calm day, the braided channels make a peaceful place to stop.
In low flows, experienced hikers may follow the river upstream as an alternative access toward Broken River Hut, approximately two kilometres further on the true right, which requires a river crossing. This option should only be considered when conditions are safe and river levels are low.
The pack track climbs 3.2 kilometres back to the old rail line through beech forest. The gradient is gentler, but there are narrow sections and several steep slips to cross. While stable and well-marked, they require a steady head for heights and careful foot placement.
As the forest gives way to tussock hillsides, one final climb returns you to the top of the incline. From there, retrace your steps along the rail line before descending the ridge back to the road.
Summary
This is an underrated track that deserves a place on any Canterbury day hike list.
It’s close to Christchurch and Arthur’s Pass. It combines history, forest, river, and open hillsides in a compact loop. And at around four hours return, it offers a satisfying day out without the need for an overnight pack.
Walking old rail lines carries a different kind of weight — following the marks of industry through landscape that has slowly reclaimed it.
And like many out-and-back sections, the return feels different.
The landscape hasn’t changed — but you have.
Not every hike needs to shout.
Some simply leave an impression.
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