Hiking near Christchurch

The St James Walkway north of Christchurch is a nice 4 or 5 day hike. Its well serviced with transport to and from Christchurch by Southern Link bus service.

Many excellent walks at Arthurs Pass - get a bus or train there.
Also the Bank Peninsula Track from Akaroa

How about the Banks Peninsua group-walks. There are at least two options. They start at Akaroa (transport from Christchurch is available) and walk round the bays and inlets, stopping for the night at various huts. Have a look at:

www.bankstrack.co.nz<BR><BR>Banks Peninsula is the big lump sticking out of the east coast of the South Island. It's hilly, scenic, historic and not far from Christchurch. A little bit off the usual route of overseas visitors, but well-known to the locals. Akaroa is a very small but thoroughly civilized place, though the French colonial associations are a bit kitsch. I've been there many times.

I absolutely recommend Banks Peninsula. It was formed by a huge volcanic eruption and you can still imagine how the lava was flowing to the sea on all sides. Fortunately the Peninsula is now very green :-) but there's lots of narrow valleys, small beaches and inlets. I just loved the scenery! If you can, stay one night at Le Bons Bay Backpackers (BBH-Hostel).

I have done the St James three times - especially love the tussocky mid section on a cool , windy day - it feels remote and wild.

But I agree that there are a lot of good walks in the Arthurs Pass area - beech forests and alpine. - Goat Pass ( as used in the Coast to Coast race) is a good trek - can be walked in about hours comfortably, but nice to break it into a 2 day walk, staying at a hut at the top of the pass. In the centre of ChCH there is a tourist information centre that has excellent information and advice for tramping in the region.

Or Banks Peninsula for the coastal walkway.