About us and the Rubicon Valley

The trekking valley

The Rubicon Valley is a perfect place for your horse trek. You can book your trek here.

It's a quiet area of hills, neat farms, native beech and pine forest, and lonely, open country on the edge of the Canterbury Plains where it meets the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Peaceful and beautiful, still and quite, and yet just 45 minutes from Christchurch.

This is truly a delightful, undisturbed valley.

You'll look up to towering hills — golden in the summer and white with snow during the winter. In some magnificent places you can see down to the mighty Waimakariri River, where it bursts out of the mountains onto the Canterbury Plains for its run to the ocean. With your guide you'll walk along well formed tracks, ride across gentle hill slopes, move through wide open areas, and trot or canter in safety if you would like to.

Seeing this beautiful valley on horseback is an experience you will not forget. Click now and book your trek. 

Your trekking guides

Your trek organisers and guides are Chris and Del Lowe. They have spent a lifetime with horses and in the Rubicon Valley!

Chris grew up riding horses with his father across steep, hills on his family's farm. He worked for the last 20 years just minutes from beautiful Rubicon Valley. Del has spent all her life near Rubicon Valley and also grew up with horses. Click now and book your trek with Chris and Del. 

Your trek

No riding experience or equipment is needed for a Rubicon Valley trek.

But children must be at least 12 years old, unless they have riding experience already.

A riding helmet will be provided, and you will also be given a rain coat if that is necessary. You need to bring long trousers, enclosed shoes and clothes to match the weather conditions.

Chris or Del will give you a free riding lesson to teach you all the basic riding skills you will need. After just a few minutes of this free training you will be able to ride confidently and really enjoy your trek.

You will be seated on either a Western Saddle or a Stock Saddle.

Once you have your gear and have been taught the basic skills your two hour trek begins.

All the treks are small, with no more than six horses, so you get personal care and attention all the time. Just four or five people is ideal. But three couples are also excellent.

Rubicon Valley treks give you a full experience of riding in open country. For example, you won't ride in single file, just following the horse in front of you. (That would be boring!) Also, there are wide, safe areas where experienced riders can trot or canter on their own. And the treks are in a loop — which means you don't ride along the same trail twice.

You will stop for refreshments during your trek — coffee with delicious home-baked scones. There will be time for photos. You will return to the car park about two hours later.

Click now and book your trek. 

Two different trails to choose from

Both treks are adventurous and let you ride through different parts of the beautiful Rubicon Valley.

The treks leave morning or afternoon. And in the long summer days you can also trek in the early evening. Come 30 minutes early to get your gear and take your free, basic riding lesson.

TRAIL 1
The River Trail
Time: two hours - you choose either morning or afternoon (or evening in summer)
Cost: $85 per person incl GST

This trail takes you to some spectacular mountain views, and leads you through the valley to a lookout point over the Waimakariri Gorge. There is a stop for refreshments and a fantastic photo opportunity, before we descend the terraces of the Waimakariri Gorge and loop back to the stables. At the end of your ride you are welcome to help with brushing down and grooming your horse.

Click now and book the River Trail trek.

TRAIL 2
The Valley Trail
Time: two hours - you choose either morning or afternoon (or evening in summer)
Cost: $85 per person incl GST

We cross the Midland Railway and amble along a cold mountain stream. There is a stop for refreshments, then we ride across the valley floor and ride out to view the mighty Waimakariri River before heading back home. At the end of your ride you are welcome to help with brushing down and grooming your horse.

Click now and book your Valley Trail trek.

You can take one of these treks, or combine them both into a wonderful four hour trek. 

How to find us

It is easy and quick to drive to Rubicon Valley.

Take Highway 73 from Christchurch, the road to Arthurs Pass and the West Coast. Drive 40 minutes across the flat plains to the small town of Springfield. Drive past the shops and at the West end of the township turn right into Pococks Road. Go across the railway line and a few minutes later turn left into Kowai Bush Road. Around a few bends you will come to Rubicon Road. Turn right into Rubicon Road. Our stables are 400 metres on the right. We will be there to welcome you!