Ashburton residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic walks in the district. Sharon Davis has compiled a list of short and easy walks for the holidays. The first of our two-part local walks series looks at walks in the Ashburton District. Whether you're looking to entertain the kids, work off that Christmas pavlova, or simply relax in nature give one or more of these walks a go.

Lake Hood Loop

A flat, easy 6km in a semi-urban environment with pretty lake views. The Lake Hood loop track is a popular walk with a footpath and cycleway and is also a hub for water sports including jet skiing and rowing. Allow about 90 minutes for the loop.

Nearby: Enjoy a cuppa or a bite to eat afterwards at The Lake House.

Turn up the heat: If you’re looking for something longer try the Lake Hood Trail along the Ashburton River to Lake Hood for a 15 – 16km return trip. Allow about two hours each way. Access is from the Tinwald side of the Ashburton River on the upstream side of State Highway 1.

Track: Shared walking and cycling track.

Dogs: Dogs on leash.

Enchanted Forest Walk

A family-friendly walk, the Enchanted Forest starts just next to the Ōpuke pools. It is a flat and easy walk of about 1km (one way) with forest fairy doors, painted rocks and other magical touches for children and the young at heart.

Nearby: Enjoy a cuppa or pint at one of the cafes or pubs in Methven or enjoy a soak in the Ōpuke Thermal Pools.

Turn up the heat: Add on the Piwakawaka Walk for a little extra distance or try the 12km Methven Walkway which includes the Enchanted Forest and Piwakawaka walks and follows the Rangitata Diversion Race before returning to Methven. Allow two to three hours for the full Methven Walkway loop.

Track: Shared walking and cycling track.

Dogs: Dogs on leash.

Awa Awa Rata Reserve

The Awa Awa Rata Reserve at the end of McLennan's Bush Road is a lovely picnic spot and the starting point for several walks from two short 10 - 15 minute walks through Rhododendrons and native bush to options to explore Mt Hutt’s forest.

Nearby: There are a lot of drink and snack options in nearby Methven

Turn up the heat: Head up to Scotts Saddle and loop down the Ridge Track or spice it up and include Pudding Hill Stream.

Track: The shorter walks are on easy trails. The long options are rougher hiking trials with roots and rocks to negotiate.

Dogs: No dogs on most of the trails.

Sharplin Falls

The Mt Somers Walkways Society has rebuilt the 1.5km shingle track to Sharplin Falls and installed two new bridges and several seats on the route, making it an easy family-friendly walk. Allow about 90-minutes return.

Nearby: Pop into the Staveley Store for food, drinks, or even a bit of retail therapy.

Turn up the heat: Head up to Hookey Knob and along the Mt Somers South Face. For extra burn, you could head up the summit track. Alternatively, head up Duke Knob to Pinnacles Hut

Track: Easy shingle walking track to the falls. Harder tramping tracks for the longer and harder routes.

Dogs: No dogs.

Woolshed Creek Hut

The walk to Woolshed Creek Hut is one of the best introductions to overnight camping for children (hut bookings required) and is also short and easy enough for a day walk to the hut if you follow the Miners Track or the 4WD alternative.

Nearby: Pop into the Mt Somers Store for an ice cream, pie, a cuppa or general supplies on the way home.

Turn up the heat: Head up Rhyolite Ridge and past the Bus Stop as a longer and much harder option to get to the hut or back.

Track: Well-formed track to the hut. Rougher tramping tracks for the longer and harder routes.

Dogs: No dogs.

Lake Emma to Mt Sunday

The Ashburton Lakes area has a lot of easy walks and spots for picnics. If you drive along Hakatere Potts Road you will pass Lake Emma, Lake Camp, and Lake Clearwater to reach Mt Sunday and Mt Potts.

At Lake Emma, a rough 4WD road takes you about halfway around the lake to a historic hut for a pleasant 6km-ish return trip. If you want to explore further, a track continues beyond that to Lake Camp. Follow the road to create a loop or return the same way. Some maps show a track between Lake Roundabout and Lake Emma to complete a smaller loop around Lake Emma - but be warned it is marshy and there is no marked track.

The track around Lake Clearwater is relatively flat and easy to follow. It's a scenic and easy 10 - 11km walk. Allow about three hours at a gentle pace. To turn up the heat, climb up Mt Guy for 360-degree views.

The road gets rougher, but the scenery gets better beyond Lake Clearwater. Mt Sunday gained fame as the setting for Edoras in The Lord of the Rings film. It is an easy 1.5km walk one way with stunning views up the Rangitata River.

If you're looking for something else to do to justify the long drive, consider a walk to Mystery Lake (starts at the Potts River Bridge) or up the old Mt Potts skifield road (access after Mt Potts Lodge) for some great views of Mt Sunday and the Rangitata valley.

Nearby: Call in at Mt Potts Lodge for lunch (bookings recommended) or stop in Mt Somers on the way back.

Track: Good walking tracks or shared walking and cycling tracks.

Dogs: No dogs at Lake Camp, Lake Clearwater or Mt Sunday. Dogs under control at Lake Emma and the Mystery Lake and Mt Potts routes.

Lake Emily to Lake Heron

The Hakatere Heron Road will take you over Buicks Bridge past the Maori Lakes to the turnoff to Lake Emily and Lake Heron.

From the Buicks Bridge car park, you can walk through to Lake Clearwater and the Potts River bridge or head to Boundary Stream Hut. The gradient is generally easy but these are on the longer (and therefore harder) side of easy by the time you factor in the return leg.

The walk to Lake Emily follows a farm track (dogs on leash until the conservation boundary) for a couple of kilometres and is an easy family-friendly walk. From here you can follow the Te Araroa trail to Manuka Hut (about 6km one way) or you can follow the 4WD track down toward the Stour River.

Lake Heron has a couple of short and easy walks from the car park, including a 2.5km walk on a 4WD track to Harrison's Bight. To turn up the heat, head up to Double Hut (about 10km one way).

Nearby: Stop in at Mt Somers on the way back.

Track: 4WD tracks or shared walking and cycling tracks.

Dogs: No dogs at Lake Heron.

By Sharon Davis