Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail
Glenmark Domain
14.5 km - 1-2 hours
The Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail gives riders and walkers the opportunity to experience close up world-class vineyards, historic farms and the beauty that is the Waipara Valley. The trail weaves through the producing vineyards, accessing the cellar doors and cafe’s of wineries that look out on the expansive views.
Summer Fire Risk – With a very dry summer, extreme caution is needed to ensure no chance of a fire being ignited – definitely no smoking/vaping and a total fire ban is in place – many thanks in advance for your care and attention
The GPX file of the trail is available for downloading here
Glenmark Domain — Greystone
2.5km, 15min
The Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail starts amongst the majestic oak trees at the Glenmark Domain where you will find toilets, and a map board to start you off.
Riding down the aptly named Church Rd (look for trains at the crossing) you will pass the local cemetery before turning onto the off-road trail just past Sherwood Estate.
The trail heads past the historic Glenmark Church and through the first of several gates – please leave them closed.
Before heading under State Highway 1 there is the turnoff to Waipara Springs Winery – marvelous wines make the short detour a must. Once under the highway, you will pop out at the cellar door of Greystone and Muddy Water Wines, time for a short break.
Greystone — Greystone Loop
1.4km, 15min
The trail uses the vineyard track, across Omihi Stream then, the main uphill for the trail. At the top of the road branches – to the right is the Greystone Loop, a route around the vines on this north-facing slope.
To the left, through the stock grate is the main trail – Muddy Water, Mountford, and Black Estate this way.
Greystone Loop — Muddy Water
0.9km, 10min
The trail now crosses the pasture above the vineyards and on trails on the vineyard headlands, through several stock grates to drop down through the old macrocarpa hedge, turn left alongside the hedge to the picnic table at the Muddy Water lake.
Muddy Water — Black Estate
2.1km, 15min
From Muddy Water, the trail winds up through the vines and out onto the track through Rockford Estate into and above Mountford Estate.
Out of Mountford, through yet another stock grate (and gate, they breed tricky sheep here) the trail is out on the slopes of Stackhouse Farm.
You will be sharing the trail with inquisitive sheep. The last gate and stock grate enter the Black Estate with its award-winning cafe and wines, what better place to rest up.
Black Estate — Glenmark Domain
6.9km, 25min (return option)
7.6km, 25min (Loop via SH1 option)
Recommended is returning the way you have just traveled – even more, opportunities to taste the wines missed and appreciate both the new views to the south and also that great downhill into Greystone.
The other option is work in progress, dropping down ‘Blacks Avenue’ through the vineyards to SH1 at the Omihi Bridge. A project has just been consented to provide a crossing of the Omihi Stream under SH1, watch this space.
The only other option is carefully using SH1 for 300m and turning right into Kings Rd. From there this quiet road winds through some of Waipara’s oldest vines and farmlands, turning left onto Glenmark Drive back to the domain – you will have just done 14.5 km
The Trail passes through private vineyards and farms – hazards may include machinery and vehicles, livestock, spraying and unfenced water.
Visitors are responsible for their own safety at all times – children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please ensure that all children are supervised at all times on the Trail.
If you have any concerns on the trail please contact the landowners:
Stackhouse Farm – 027 435 8139
Mountford Estate – 03 314 6199
Glenmark Vicarage – 03 314 6775
Waipara Springs – 03 314 6777
Greystone – 03 314 6100
Black Estate – 03 314 6085
Trail Map
Stage 3 to complete the loop of the Waipara Valley Walking & Cycling Trail is now underway!
Hurunui Trails Trust was granted it’s Resource Consent for the Omihi Creek Bridge last month so now an enthusiastic local committee are starting the fundraising project to build the Omihi Creek Bridge at the bottom of Black’s Ave which completes the Waipara Valley Trail loop.
This vital bridge will finish the Waipara Valley Trail and allow a safe link for cyclists and walkers to cross Omihi Creek and State highway 1. When the bridge is built, the completed trail will start from Glenmark Reserve in Waipara, cruise past 8 vineyards, farms and B & Bs and then across the Omihi Creek back to Kings Road which then loops back around to Glenmark Drive and Waipara.
The Waipara Valley Trail has been a vision of the charitable Hurunui Trails Trust since the trust was established in 2007. Since 2010, the trust has fundraised, built and maintained 8 km of trail from Glenmark Domain to Black Estate/Black’s Avenue.
Now we are ready to complete the loop and need your help!
We will also be hosting a fundraising evening and auction at Black Estate Restaurant on 22 November where we will hold an exciting (short) auction during the evening with casual food and good wine and music! A bus from Christchurch is also available. Founding members who donate prior to the event will be provided complimentary tickets. It is going to be quite a party. Individual donations are welcome on the night.
Tickets are for sale on the Black Estate website here.
