The Little River Rail Trail follows the route of an old 19th Century railway track from Hornby on the outskirts of Christchurch through to the small settlement of Little River on the Banks Peninsula. Little River was original a sawmill community supplying timber to Christchurch back in the day but is now largely a tourist spot, a great pit stops between the city and the peninsula. Its old railway station is home to the visitor centre. The Little River Rail Trail is a popular mountain bike/walking track that can be completed in various sections of choice along its 49km route. I hopped on my bike at Motukarua (another small settlement) with the aim to cycle at least 2 sections between here and Little River itself. The track at this point is raised slightly as it followed the old railway embankment past Lake Ellesmere, New Zealand largest saltwater lake, Birdlings Flat – a small holiday town with a wild and dramatic rock-strewn beach which is great to take a windswept walk along, across to the smaller but no less impressive Lake Forsyth. As I peddled along I was rewarded with some spectacular views. The upper range of New Zealand’s Southern Alps was clear to see on this bright clear day. The track traversed through wetlands that teamed with bird life – black swans gracefully floated alongside the path and herons, kingfishers perched on bridge posts as crossed. The track in this area is all off road and there are only a few crossing places to navigate. As I reached Little River I was all too ready to reward myself with some much-needed refreshment. The café here was a perfect spot to appreciate a slice of cake in a sunny garden area.