Photo of Rubicon Valley Horse Treks in Canterbury
Horse Riding

Rubicon Valley Horse Treks

📍 Springfield, Canterbury

★4.9(224 Google reviews)

Rubicon Valley Horse Treks operates from a high-country farm at Springfield, 45 minutes from Christchurch. Veteran guide Chris Lowe leads small groups through the foothills of the Southern Alps, with views of Mt Torlesse and the Waimakariri River.

✓ Chris Lowe as guide✓ Southern Alps scenery✓ Suits beginners and experienced✓ Mt Torlesse views

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families with kids old enough to manage 2-3 hours in the saddle, plus adult riders. Reviewers consistently name Chris and call out his patience with first-timers, his eye on every rider in the group, and the Southern Alps scenery. Suits beginners and confident riders alike.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡About 45 minutes' drive from Christchurch - plan around the journey
⏰Small-group format; horses matched to each rider's experience
🎟️Bookings essential - Chris runs treks personally
🚗Long pants and enclosed footwear; helmets supplied

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.9
★★★★★

224 Google reviews

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G Reviews from Google

C

Ciara Halkett

10 months ago

★★★★★

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An unforgettable day at Rubicon Valley Horse Trekking! We had such a fantastic day at Rubicon Valley Horse Trekking the scenery was absolutely stunning, and the whole experience was so well organised. Our group hadn’t ridden in quite a while, but Chris made everyone feel completely safe and confident from the start. He was an incredible guide, patient, knowledgeable, and full of that great Kiwi Cowboy sense of humour that kept us all smiling the entire ride. The horses were absolutely beautiful and a delight to ride, the views were breathtaking, and the whole experience felt authentic and relaxed. Couldn’t have asked for a better day out, highly recommend Rubicon Valley Horse Trekking for anyone looking for a memorable New Zealand adventure!”

L

Louisa Frost

2 months ago

★★★★★

“Best Trek I've ever done! Chris is so informative, caring and charismatic. We were close to postponing after a week of miserable wet weather in Christchurch, I'm so glad that we didn't! The views were just impeccable. The day was perfect, our cups are most certainly full 😊 I rode the best boy, Charlie- a beautifully natured, clever horse. Chris loves his horses and you can tell, they're all so well looked after and such a gorgeous pack. We will most definitely be back”

A

Abby Parr

7 months ago

★★★★★

“Best horse trekking trail and teacher, bar none. Chris is an absolute legend. He kept us thoroughly entertained for two hours on the trail while simultaneously keeping an eagle eye on all riders in the group, offering up instruction/pointers or opportunities for riders who felt a little more comfortable. And the scenery is outstanding. Loved getting the chance to ride some hills. Treat yourself to a walk around Castle Hill and a pie in Sheffield when you're done.”

📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews

Based on Google review tags

Scenery

47 reviews

Views

43 reviews

Horse trek

24 reviews

3 hour trek

14 reviews

Trotting

11 reviews

Overview

Rubicon Valley Horse Treks is a high-country trekking operation at 534 Rubicon Road, Springfield, in the foothills of the Southern Alps about 45 minutes from Christchurch. Owner-guide Chris Lowe is one of New Zealand's most experienced trek guides. Small groups, with horses matched to each rider's experience. Treks lead through golden tussock country with views of Mt Torlesse and the Waimakariri River gorge. Bookings essential.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday06:30-18:00
Tuesday06:30-18:00
Wednesday06:30-18:00
Thursday06:30-18:00
Friday06:30-18:00
Saturday06:30-18:00
Sunday06:30-18:00
Free to use

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