Bridle Path, New Zealand, Historic trail in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Bridle Path is a 2.4 km shared-use track that climbs 333 metres from Bridle Path Road in Lyttelton to the Summit Road on the crater rim, then descends to the Heathcote Valley near the road tunnel. The upper section is a dirt and gravel path edged with dry grass, marked by a wooden post with a white sign bearing a red symbol and the number 20.

European settlers in Canterbury created this path in 1850 as the main connection between Lyttelton port and the growing town of Christchurch. It served as a vital route for transporting goods and people during the region's early development.

The stone shelter at the summit, beside Summit Road, is a 1940 centennial memorial to the Pioneer Women of Canterbury. Seven commemorative stone seats stand along the path, most built for the 1950 Canterbury centenary. The name comes from riders dismounting to lead horses by the bridle over the steepest sections.

The climb takes about an hour and a half and is steadily uphill, so expect a good physical workout on your way up. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, especially on warmer days when the sun exposure increases.

The path is a legal road, not a park, so trail bikes may legally use it, though walkers regard them as a nuisance; attempts to change its status date from the 1970s. The white sign with the red symbol and the number 20 on a wooden post marks the route for users.