Little River Rail Trail facts for kids
The Little River Rail Trail is a fantastic path for cycling and walking. It's located on the beautiful Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury area of New Zealand's South Island. This trail lets you explore nature and history at the same time!
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What is a Rail Trail?
A rail trail is a special path built on an old railway line. The Little River Rail Trail uses the path of the old Little River Branch railway. This railway used to connect Hornby to Little River, passing through places like Lincoln.
The railway stopped running on June 30, 1962. For many years, the old tracks and ground were left untouched. Then, in the early 2000s, a group of people formed a trust. They wanted to turn the old railway line into a path for everyone to enjoy.
Building the Trail
The Little River Rail Trail was built in different sections over several years.
First Section Opens
The very first part of the trail opened on May 28, 2006. This section stretched between Motukarara and Catons Bay Reserve. It was a big step towards creating the full trail.
Later, this first section was made even longer. It was extended all the way to the Little River hotel. Then, it went even further to Wairewa Pa Road. This spot is very close to the old Little River station. The station has been restored and even has old New Zealand Railways freight wagons. There's also a craft centre there.
More Sections Added
The second part of the trail opened on November 30, 2006. This section is about 7 kilometres long and runs between Prebbleton and Lincoln. It's a special off-road track that follows the old railway line next to Birchs Road.
The third section was opened on September 20, 2009. This part is 3.6 kilometres long and connects Hornby to Prebbleton. It's also an off-road track that runs beside Shands Road and Marshs Road. Between Marshs Road and Springs Road, the path is right on the old railway corridor. This means it uses part of the old Southbridge Branch railway line, which connected the Little River Branch to the main railway line in Hornby.
Awards for the Trail
The Little River Rail Trail has been recognized for being a great place to cycle. In 2006, it won a Cycle Friendly Award. This award was given by the Cycling Advocates' Network. It was named the best cycle facility project in New Zealand that year!
