Tucked away in the foothills, the Ashley Gorge walking tracks are one of Canterbury’s hidden gems — and they exist thanks to the hard work of local volunteers.
Since the first track-building working bee in 2015, volunteers like Dave Shelton, John Burton, Brian Pilbrow, and Cathy and Graham Thompson have transformed the area into the region’s most visited bush walking site, with over 12,000 visitors annually.
Today, three family-friendly tracks wind through towering native trees, offering stunning views and even a waterfall. A more advanced Skyline Trail (4–5 hours) is on the way and expected to open next summer.
Despite DOC support, nearly all the work — from construction to weekly maintenance and pest trapping — is volunteer-led, with over 15,000 hours clocked so far. Local youth are a big part of it too, including the 88 Waimakariri Air Cadets who recently helped clear the tracks for winter.
Want to get involved in the trapping programme or make a donation? Contact Brian at brian.pilbrow@outlook.com