Methven Walkway & Enchanted Forest
An 11km town walkway along the RDR canal — with a fairy-door forest that locals built themselves.
The Methven Walkway is 11 kilometres of formed track that loops around the town and follows the Rangitata Diversion Race — an engineering marvel of a canal that carries water from the Rangitata River to the Highbank Power Station on the Rakaia River. Opened in 1979, the walkway demonstrates how Canterbury's landscape has been shaped by human irrigation and water management as much as by natural geology, while offering a genuinely pleasant outdoor experience with the Southern Alps forming the constant backdrop.
The walkway's unexpected highlight is the Enchanted Forest — a sheltered belt of mature trees where residents have created a whimsical installation of fairy doors, painted rocks, and tiny woodland scenes. This is not a commercial attraction but something built organically by the Methven community over many years, and it has a genuine charm that commercial equivalents lack. Children discover it as a genuine surprise rather than a planned destination, which makes the experience all the better.
The walkway is intersected by several country roads, meaning you can walk sections rather than the full 11km, and arrange transport to avoid doubling back. It is fully dog-friendly and popular with mountain bikers as well as walkers. There is a skills park for mountain bikers behind the Methven Medical Centre, and the RDR canal path connects to additional flat riding around town — making the walkway a useful hub for cycling activity in the area.
What to expect
The walk is flat to gently undulating throughout and is accessible for all fitness levels. The RDR canal itself is a striking feature — a straight, fast-moving channel of clear water that was an extraordinary engineering achievement when constructed in the mid-twentieth century. Information panels along the route explain the history of irrigation in the Canterbury Plains and the walkway's place in the broader landscape.
The Enchanted Forest section is within a shelterbelt of mature deciduous trees — look for the fairy doors built into the base of trees, the painted stones left by visitors and locals, and small scenes created from natural materials. There are no signs directing you to it: finding it is part of the experience. Ask locals or your accommodation hosts for a general pointer.
The full 11km loop takes 2.5–3.5 hours at a comfortable walking pace. Most families with young children do the Enchanted Forest section (30–40 minutes each way) as an out-and-back. Mountain bikers can cover the full loop in under an hour.
Best time to visit
The walkway is excellent year-round. Spring and early summer bring bird activity and green canal banks. Autumn is beautiful with the shelterbelt trees in colour. Winter walking is fine in dry weather but the track can be muddy after rain — wear appropriate footwear.
Insider tips
- ✓The Enchanted Forest does not have signage — it is a community-made installation, not a managed attraction. Ask your accommodation hosts for the general location before you set out.
- ✓Bring a bag to carry out any litter. The walkway is community-maintained and locals take pride in keeping it clean.
- ✓Dogs are welcome on the walkway but must be under control near the canal — the water moves fast.
- ✓The skills park behind the Medical Centre is free to use and suitable for mountain bikers of all levels — worth a stop if you are cycling the walkway.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Methven Walkway?
The full Methven Walkway loop is 11 kilometres and takes 2.5–3.5 hours to walk at a comfortable pace. It is intersected by roads at several points, allowing shorter sections to be walked with transport arranged for the return.
Where is the Enchanted Forest on the Methven Walkway?
The Enchanted Forest is within a shelterbelt of mature trees on the walkway route. It is not signposted — it is a community-made installation rather than a managed attraction. Ask locals or your accommodation hosts for a pointer to its general location.
Is the Methven Walkway dog-friendly?
Yes — the Methven Walkway is fully dog-friendly. Dogs should be kept under control, particularly near the RDR canal where the water moves quickly.
Is the Methven Walkway suitable for bikes?
Yes — the walkway is popular with mountain bikers and can be ridden in under an hour. A skills park is located behind the Methven Medical Centre. There are also flat cycling routes connecting to the RDR canal path.
Practical information
Hours
Open year-round, all hours
Price
Free
Location
Multiple entry points around Methven — main access from Forest Drive, Methven (Starts in Methven town)
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