Ryde Falls Track, Mt Oxford Forest Park: April 2022

Visiting Rydes Falls on the Canterbury Foothills

I recently ventured into the Oxford forest Park to visit the Rydes Falls. Rydes Falls are one of the highest set of waterfalls on the Canterbury Foothills and fall 45 meters over five tiers. The are situated in the shadow of Mt Oxford which is approximately 60 kilometers away from Christchurch.

Rydes Falls from the basin at their base

I wanted to go up to the falls as I have not visited since 2015 and I thought they would be a good source of vlog material for the Youtube channel. The last time I was here it was in the middle of summer and way too hot for a walk up hills but it was an excellent day for tramping this time as it was overcast with a good breeze blowing. 

The carpark at Coopers Creek, Rydes Falls Track

Mt Oxford Forest Park is mainly Beech trees but the forest is unusual with a good number of Podocarp species as well. I saw many different types of trees as I walked along the track and it was fun trying to decipher what species they were. 

Mt Oxford Forest Park is mostly Black Beech

It was a long but decent walk to the Rydes Falls and I was well satisfied with the trip at the end. So let's have a look at what the Rydes Falls Track is like.

On the Rydes Falls Track:

The Rydes Falls Track starts from a car parking area at the end of Mountain Road near Coopers Creek settlement just outside Oxford. There is parking at the road end for about 20 cars and by the time I got there at 09.30 am it was full. 

Rydes Falls Track...carpark was full!!!

It is seven kilometers to Rydes Falls from the road-end and it should take you about 2.5-3 hours to get there (14 kilometers and 6-7 hours return). It is a little quicker on the way back as the track tends more downhill but only by 15-20 minutes. The track is well marked but is a bit difficult with the mud and all the climbing so a moderate level of fitness is required. 

Start of the Rydes Falls Track at Coopers Creek

This is the start point for a number of tracks including the Rydes Falls Track, Mt Oxford Track and the Link Track which connects to the Wharfedale Track. I only saw about 10 people the whole time I was walking so I believe most of the cars belonged to trampers going up and over Mt Oxford. 

You start of across farmland...Rydes Falls Track

There are a multitude of tracks to try in Mt Oxford Forest Park

Rydes Falls Track...starts out over flat ground

To start with the track is flat...you walk alongside Coopers Creek to a ford which leads to the Mt Oxford Track. If you are heading to Rydes Falls you keep going straight ahead along the well marked track. 

Coopers Creek runs alongside the Rydes Falls Track

Take the ford for the Mt Oxford Track (4-8 hours)

Rydes Falls Track starts next to the ford

Just past the ford you start the first climb of the day as you go up and over an intervening ridge line to get further up Coopers Creek. The track climbs around the end of the ridge and then descends back down to flat ground on the other side. 

..into the Beech forest on the Rydes Falls Track...

Sidling along the hills beside Coopers Creek

Coopers Creek from the Rydes Falls Track

There is a stock gate along here to stop farm animals getting further up the valley and past it you are still on flat ground for about another 500 meters. 

Stock gate as you enter the Beech Forest...Rydes Falls Track

You climb over some small hills next to Coopers Creek

Eventually you reach the start of the Beech forest and start climbing up one of the ridges which runs down the true right of the Coopers Creek West Branch. You will be climbing for about the next hour so settle into a comfortable slogging pace...

Rydes Falls Track...start of the hill climbing

The track is quite steep but soon evens out into a long, slow climb to gain altitude as you ascend the ridge. In places there are open areas which give you excellent views of Mt Oxford, the surrounding hills and up into the West Branch of Coopers Creek. 

Looking up into the East Branch of Coopers Creek

Mt Oxford (1364) and Mt Oxford Forest Park

Peyton Scout Lodge at the start of the Mt Oxford Track

After the first open area you go back into forest...exotic forest to start with but it soon turns to native Beech forest as you go further up the ridgeline. The track sidles the side of the ridge and you are heading for the Link Track junction about three kilometers along the route. 

Heading up the East Branch of Coopers Creek

Exotic forest along the Rydes Falls Track

The track is in good condition and the section after the exotic forest is almost a 4 W/D track as it is about 10 feet wide, smooth and flat. It is the easiest section of the track so enjoy the surface while you can...

Rydes Falls Track...a nicely benched track to start

...lots of hill climbing on the Rydes Falls Track...

Soon the track turns to typical forest track with the canopy close to the track sides so you are shaded from most of the sun and protected from any wind coming down the valley. 

Rydes Falls Track...it turns to single track

Sun dappled walking on the Rydes Falls Track

At one point you will walk through a grove of Horopito/Pepperwood trees which are one of the Podocarp species you find in this forest. There was a slight peppery smell to the air which is partially why Horopito is called Pepperwood. 

Grove of Horopito trees along the Rydes Falls Track

Closer view of the Horopito trees...

Just past the Horopito I encountered some Matai trees growing right next to the track...these were about 20 meters tall and had the distinctive hammered looking bark you see on them. Other native tree species you will see are Totara, Rimu, Kahikatea, Lancewood, Miro, Five Finger, Manuka, Fuchsia and Miro. 

Matai along the Rydes Falls Track

Twisted bark on the Matai Trees, Rydes Falls Track

After about an hour of walking you will arrive at the Rydes Falls Track-Link Track junction and this is a good spot to stop for a break. There is a large example of Red Beech right next to the junction and there is a clear area under it so you can have a look. This species of tree is not common in Oxford Forest although there is a large stand out at Mt Grey closer to Pegasus Bay. 

Junction of Rydes Falls Track and Link Track

There is a large Red Beech at the junction

View down the Link Track to Wharfedale Hut

From the junction you drop down and continue to follow the Rydes Falls Track as it descends down the side of the ridge before joining a flat saddle you have to walk across on the way to Rydes Falls. 

Rydes Falls Track goes downhill from the junction

On the Rydes Falls Track once again

As you drop down to the saddle you have to cross a couple of small side stream running across the track. Under most circumstance these will be easy to cross but in heavy rain they will be flooded and could be dangerous to cross. 

One of several small streams on the Rydes Falls Track

In summer take care where you sit and place your hands as this forest is Black Beech which is favored by invasive Wasp populations in the warmer months. You should always carry antihistamines with you when traveling through the forest on the Canterbury Foothills as all of them have problems with Wasps. 

You cross a long saddle heading for Ryde Falls

About halfway across the saddle you will come to the Rydes Bush Tramway...there is a bench seat here and some old information panels. Oxford Forest was once a prime source of timber for Christchurch and at one time the forest stretched from near Yaldhurst all the way to the Canterbury Foothills.

 

The Tramway was constructed to allow logs to be transported down to Oxford where they were processed. It closed down in the early 1930's and you could still walk along its route until recently as the early 2000's  although the track is now fully grown over. 

At Ryde Falls Tramway...Rydes Falls Track

I stopped at the old tramway site for a break as I had been walking for about an hour and 45 minutes by this time and once refreshed set out down the track. The track is hard going in places as it is very muddy anywhere it is flat and where water accumulates. It is made of a sticky clay which will coat your boots, socks and legs as you walk...

The Rydes Falls Track was very muddy....

Fifteen more minutes will bring you to the junction with the Korimako Track. You can follow this track up to the Wharfedale Track and use it as an alternate route back to the carpark as it eventually joins the Link Track and goes back down the the Rydes Falls Track. Have a look at this link to see what the track is like as I followed it back in 2012. 

At the Junction of Korimako Track and Rydes Falls Track

There is a seat at the Korimako Junction

...only 500 meters to Rydes Falls from the Korimako Junction...

From the Korimako Track junction it is only 500 meters or 15 minutes walk to the campsite at Rydes Falls. You continue across the saddle before starting a steep descent down to the edge of the Coopers Creek West Branch. On the way you pass through another grove of Horopito trees and also pass a fern covered hillside.

More Horopito trees near the Koromiko Junction

Fernery along the Rydes Falls Track

The last 200 meters is a series of switchbacks down to the river...this section is steep so watch your footing!!!

Descending switchbacks near the end of Rydes Falls Track

West Branch Coopers Creek comes into view

Last 50 meters down to West Branch of Coopers Creek

I arrived at the West Branch of Coopers Creek after walking for 2 hours and 45 minutes so I was within the stated time on the DOC sign at Coopers Creek. If it is dry and there is no mud on the track it should cut 10-15 minutes off your travel time. The river right next to the track end was full of flood debris from the storm that smashed this area in 2021. 

Coopers Creek West Branch, Rydes Falls Track

There is a very basic campsite at Rydes Falls and it occupies a flat terrace between the Coopers Creek West Branch and the stream coming down from Rydes Falls. It has a flat gravel area with a couple of fire circles, a toilet and not much else. I camped here in 2012 when visiting the Falls and found it an O.K spot...lots of sandflies though. 

Rydes Falls Campsite, Mt Oxford Forest Park

...it is a very basic campsite near Rydes Falls...

Rydes Falls are accessed up a short side track from the upper campsite and you head up a short side valley for about 200 meters to see the cascades. Take care on this track as it has a couple of active slip faces along it. This whole area was smashed by a big rainstorm last year and is still recovering. 

Side track to Rydes Falls from the campsite

First view of Rydes Falls from the side track

Rydes Falls is one of the highest on the Canterbury Foothills and drops 45 meters over five tiers into a deep basin at its base. It is quite an impressive waterfall complex and is feed from a huge watershed in the valley above the falls. It provides the majority of the water for Coopers Creek and while it was low when I visited it really pumps when it is raining in the headwaters. 

One of the pools at the Rydes Falls

You cannot easily get to the top of the falls due to the steep terrain but there are a couple of view points along its sides. Take care when walking along the track as it was wet and slippery due to mist coming off the falls. 

Rydes Falls (45 meters), Mt Oxford Forest Park

The waterfall is very photogenic but the masses of sandflies will make your stay short...they are particularly vicious here and you cannot stand still with exposed skin for very long. Bring DEET with you...I forgot and paid for my mistake with many, many bites. 

Rydes Falls have five tiers....

The Rydes Falls run throughout the year

Looking down at the base of Rydes Falls

There is a short side track down to the base of Rydes Falls and it is a great spot to take photos of the cascades from the rocks. There is a pool at the base of the falls that would be 1.5 meters deep so you could swim here on a hot summer's day. 

At the edge of the bottom basin...Rydes Falls

...the bottom basin is the deepest...Rydes Falls...

Good view of the tiers of Rydes Falls

I spent about 20 minutes up by the waterfalls filming and taking photographs before heading back down to the campsite to have some lunch. 

Bottom tier of Rydes Falls, Mt Oxford Forest Park

...quite a lot of volume in the Rydes Falls...

Here is one of the active slip faces on the side track to the falls...it falls away into the river below every time there is a rain storm. Take care passing these points as it is a long way down to the river. If I had a shovel I would have done some work to make it wider and safer myself...climate change woes!!!

Active slip on the Rydes Falls access track

I'm not sure that I would camp at the Rydes Falls campsite anymore...it is on a small river terrace wedged between two rivers and while it is a couple of meters above the river you could still get floods. It would be ok on a dry, still summers night but on a wet, windy night...????

Good view of Rydes Falls Campsite..Spartan!!!

...there is a long drop at the Rydes Falls Campsite...

...the Imperial Throne Room....

Rydes Falls Campsite: flat ground, long drop, rwater from river...

I had a quick lunch down at the lower campsite on the terrace close to the confluence of the two creeks. There was a storm blowing in so it was dramatically windy, dusty and noisy. I stopped just long enough to heat up the O-Meal I had for lunch and eat it. After a quick resupply of water I set off back along the track to the car park. 

Lower section of the Rydes Falls Campsite...lots-o-Sandflies here!!!

Back on the Rydes Falls Track heading for home...

It is a steep climb up out of the Rydes Falls Campsite but thankfully short and before I knew it I was back up on the saddle and heading for the Korimako Track Junction.

Rydes Falls Track...climbing up from the campsite

Walking back past the fernery on the Rydes Falls Track

I passed a young stand of Kahikatea on the way to the track junction...there were about 20 of them growing just off the track. There are no mature Kahikatea Trees in the area so I wondered if they were replanting of some sort...

Kahikatea Tree along the Rydes Falls Track

Soon the Korimako Track junction came back into sight...

Koromiko Track junction comes into view

I had considered walking up the Korimako Track on the way back to the car for some variety but it was blowing a gale in Oxford Forest and I decided to just head back the way I came. Going up the Korimako Track adds about 30 minutes to your return trip and takes you higher up the ridgelines. Not ideal when there is a big wind storm howling through the trees...

Back at the Link Track-Rydes Falls Track junction

Soon I was back at the Link Track-Rydes Falls Track junction where I stopped for a rest break under the big Red Beech tree. Past the track junction is a climb up to the apex of the track about 20 minutes further along the track. 

...five kilometers back to Coopers Creek...

Past the track apex you walk across flat ground for a while and there is a lot of wind damage to the forest through here. The top of this ridge is right in the path of any bad weather coming north over the Plains and they get big wind gusts up there which knock the trees over. DOC have been through and cut the windfall off the track but there are always the occasional downed tree to climb over...

Walking through windfall area on Rydes Falls Track

A mix of Beech trees and Podocarps in the Oxford Forest

The track past the apex is flat and water logged so it is very muddy...it is slow going and I had mud up to my knees by the time I got back down to the carpark. I washed most of it off in Coopers Creek before setting off for home...

Rydes Falls Track: conditions...muddy track...

From here it is all downhill travel right back down to the track end near Coopers Creek. The track dries out now it is on a slope so it is fast and easy walking from here back to the car.

Rydes Falls Track: dry clay track...

Rydes Falls Track: stony/rocky track...

Every so often you get quick glimpses of Mt Oxford through the trees and off to your left. It was really windy in the forest (as you can see on the vlog I made on the track) so I can imagine it would have been like walking through a hurricane up on the tops.

View to Mt Oxford from the Rydes Falls Track

I was soon walking down the good quality benched  track above the exotic forest and it really was a joy after slogging through the mud for most of the previous hour...

Rydes Falls Track...back on the benched track

...the benched track is almost a 4 W/D track...

Here is another Podocarp species I encountered in the forest...these are native Fucshia Trees which I saw in several places along the track. They have lovely flowers on them at certain times of the year and are not very common as Possums damage them as they love to eat the leaves and flowers. 

Native Fuchsia tree just off the Rydes Falls Track

Breaking out into the open once again I could see almost pressure waves of wind passing over the treetops as it roared down the valley and whooshed over my head...

...last view up into the Coopers Creek West Branch...

Mt Oxford from the Rydes Falls Track

...Mt Oxford Track heading to the summit...

The Mt Oxford Track climbs these hills...

Just above the last section of Beech forest is a short rocky section of track which skirts around an area of open ridge top. There is a very limited view from here out to the Canterbury Plains...the only one you will have from the track over the whole day. 

Breaking out of the exotic forest...Rydes Falls Track

The track starts to descend down to Coopers Creek

Only view of the Canterbury Plains you will have...

Before you know it you are back on flat ground and making your way along the side of Coopers Creek once again. My knees appreciated the level ground after walking downhill for the last hour and a half. 

Back down on flat ground on the Rydes Falls Track

On the river flats along Coopers Creek

Last Beech forest on this trip...Rydes Falls Track

Rather than climbing up over the ridge at the start of the track I walked down the bed of Coopers Creek as I have never explored this area. Only go down here in dry weather with low river levels as you have to cross the creek bed 6-7 times and there is no way to climb onto the banks if it gets deep as there are bluffs and thick vegetation all the way.

In the bed of a very low Coopers Creek, Mt Oxford Forest

Heading down Coopers Creek on the way to the carpark

...you have to cross Coopers Creek numerous times...

You climb out of the creek at the ford along the Mt Oxford Track and walk up to rejoin the main Rydes Falls Track.  The ford was only ankle deep on the day which is good as this is the main route to get to the summit of Mt Oxford. There is a bridge further down the creek but it leads to private land so you really need to use the ford...

The ford on the Mt Oxford Track

From the top of the ford you can see the road end at Coopers Creek and you are walking the final 200 meters of the track...

Last 200 meters of the Rydes Falls Track

..back at Coopers Creek carpark...

All up it took me just over six hours to cover the track into the falls and return and I spent 30 minutes up around the falls. I was feeling a bit foot sore by the time I got back to the car. This is an excellent tramping destination as the Canterbury Foothills are close enough to Christchurch for a day trip. I have been wanting to climb Mt Oxford for a while now so this will probably be the reason for my next trip to the area. 

Access: From Oxford Township follow Woodside Road, turn right into Mountain Road and drive to car park at Coopers Creek.
Track Times: 14 kilometers return, 2-3 hours from Coopers Creek to Ryde Falls, same return
Miscellaneous: Toilets located at Coopers Creek and Ryde Falls campsite, the campsite is rough but will hold 3-4 two person tents. Treat water from Coopers Creek before drinking.

You Tube: Rydes Falls Track