The Banks Peninsula’s distinctive shape is the result of two extinct shield volcanoes with one of the walls collapsed to create a long bay (Akaroa Harbour) into the interior of the crater.   The town of Akaroa lies on the shoreline deep in the middle of the crater.   The rim of the volcano stands above the town in a high, rugged arc.   We stayed in Akaroa and hiked up to and along the rim trails.

The hike from Akaroa up to the highest spot on the rim is a climb of 801m (2628 feet).   Various trails go up the valleys and ridges to the rim and a loop route is rated as an all-day hike.   The Banks Peninsula Track is a two to four day tramp, using a bookable overnight hut.

We hiked from Akaroa up to the rim area and down on a shorter loop and we hiked along the rim on another day.    The Village of Akaroa lay below us.

All of the trails were well signed and the spring flowers greeted us along the trails.

The rim trail went over Stony Bay Peak to Purple Mountain.

The whole area is very rugged.   Sheep farms and forest are found in the valleys and lower slopes but the upper slopes of the rim are more open, offering fine views.

Although the terrain looks barren, it is covered in tussock vegetation and low shrubs, but the trails are well-defined across the “open hilltops.”

Everywhere we hiked in New Zealand was rewarding, but we were only able to sample a few areas.   We enjoyed Akaroa, but we left a week of hiking (country walking) on the Banks Peninsula for a return visit.

• Akaroa – Walking Tracks