The Railtrail through Ahuriri will be off-road and located adjacent to the Halswell Canal. From the south end of Ahuriri, Railtrail users will use the quiet country roads to make their way to Motukarara.

Much of the Ahuriri Reserve area is owned by Environment Canterbury (ECan) for river control purposes. To date ECan have installed two bridges at either end of Ahuriri Reserve and will be constructing a track through the Reserve (see update below).

The Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) is undertaking a wetland restoration project around the Ahuriri Lagoon, enhancing the wetland for wildlife. The wildlife will be a key attraction in this area. With WET, the Railtrail Trust will promote the importance of this wetland ecosystem and inform Railtrail users of the sensitivity and value of it to the environment.

April 2010 Update
The construction of the final route of the Railtrail through the Ahuriri Reserve has been delayed while a study to investigate the opportunities and impacts of an enlarged Ahuriri wetland and restoration project is completed. The outcome of this study will advise the final route of the Railtrail, originally to be alongside the Halswell Canal, through the Ahuriri Reserve. 

The Ahuriri wetland study has been funded by ECan and is expected to be completed by August 2010. A decision regarding thefinal Railtrail route will then be made with construction starting soon afterwards and being completed before Christmas 2010.