It runs through high country valleys not far from popular tourist routes.
Its waters are so clear you can count the stones at the bottom, and so cold they’ll leave your skin tingling for hours.
But somehow, this Canterbury river remains almost completely off the radar — even to locals.
There are no signs pointing the way. No café in sight. And most maps don’t even label the swimming holes.
“It’s one of those places we don’t really talk about,” says Tom, a tramper who grew up nearby.
“Not because we’re trying to hide it. It just never got discovered — and we kind of like it that way.”
Welcome to the Edwards River
Tucked deep in Arthur’s Pass National Park, the Edwards River is a snow-fed stream flowing through native bush, scree slopes, and moss-covered beech forests.
Unlike more popular rivers in the region, it’s not accessible by car — and that’s exactly what’s kept it so pristine.
To get there, you’ll need to:
- Park at the end of Greyneys Shelter
- Cross a swing bridge
- Walk about 1.5 to 2 hours along a rugged but scenic DOC track
- Then descend down a narrow spur to reach the most secluded stretch
The payoff? Pools so clear they look unreal, backed by cliffs and forest.
Perfect for a freezing dip, a quiet picnic, or total solitude.
“I’ve been five times and never seen another person in the water,” says Emily, a Christchurch hiker.
“And the water is cleaner than anything you’ll find in town — you can literally drink it.”
Why it’s stayed secret
Part of the reason the Edwards River is overlooked is simple: it takes effort to reach, and it’s overshadowed by nearby spots like Devil’s Punchbowl Falls or Castle Hill.
There’s also no commercial signage, no campgrounds, and no Instagram tags — because there’s no cell coverage for miles.
“It’s not that it’s off-limits,” Tom says.
“It’s just never been promoted. It’s still wild. That’s the magic.”
But for how much longer?
As more people seek off-the-grid, nature-first escapes, even places like the Edwards River could start attracting attention.
DOC has noticed a small uptick in trampers over the past year, and a few recent blogs have quietly hinted at the location — though most still avoid naming it outright.
For now, it remains untouched. No litter. No drones. No crowds.
Just a stretch of glacial water, flowing in silence through the Southern Alps.
And if you’re willing to hike for it, one of the most beautiful secrets in Canterbury is still yours to find.
Don’t name it and it will stay pristine. I have found beautiful streams full of trout and fresh water crayfish, lots of Deer around the area as well. It’s stayed that way because it is a 3 day walk to get there.
Honestly, why keep gems like Edwards River secret? Nature’s for everyone! Hoarding beauty feels selfish, not protective. Let’s share the magic!
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s magic should be shared, not hoarded like some underground treasure. Thoughts?
Not everyone’s ready for nature’s raw truths—some gems need a filter, not a free-for-all.
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s for everyone! Gotta wonder if hidden means just waiting for tourists to wreck it.
Why keep the Edwards River a secret? Nature’s for everyone! Hiding gems only fuels elitism, not conservation. Let’s share, not hoard!
Honestly, why keep nature’s gems secret? Isn’t sharing hidden spots what gets people to care and protect them before they vanish?
Honestly, why keep such gems hidden? Nature’s for everyone, not some secret club. Let’s stop gatekeeping rivers, people!
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s beauty should be shared, not hoarded like some exclusive club. Let people enjoy it!
Honestly, why do we always hype secret spots? Once everyone knows, it’s just another crowded tourist trap. Maybe some places should stay hidden!
Exactly! Sharing ruins the charm—some places lose their magic once they’re overrun by crowds.
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s meant to be shared, not hidden. Let’s stop gatekeeping and just enjoy it!
Easy to say until crowds ruin the place. Some secrets need protecting, not sharing blindly.
Honestly, why keep gems like the Edwards River secret? Nature’s for everyone, not just some “insiders” acting like gatekeepers. Sharing is caring!
Not everyone wants their favorite spots overrun. Some secrets protect nature from destruction, not just gatekeeping.
Honestly, why keep gems like Edwards River secret? Nature’s for everyone, not just some exclusive club. Sharing beats hiding, always.
Honestly, why keep gems like the Edwards River a secret? Nature’s for everyone, not just some exclusive hideout. Share the magic!
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s for everyone. If we don’t share, who else will protect it from getting trashed?
Exactly! Hiding spots only invites careless exploitation. Sharing knowledge sparks respect and protection.
Honestly, why keep gems like the Edwards River secret? Isn’t nature meant to be shared, not hoarded like some exclusive club?
Honestly, why keep gems like Edwards River secret? Nature’s for everyone! Hoarding spots just feels selfish. Let’s share the love, not hide it!
Honestly, is keeping the Edwards River a secret really protecting it, or just selfishly denying others a beautiful experience? Just saying.
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s beauty isn’t a VIP club—let everyone enjoy Edwards River before it’s just another crowded spot!
Easier said than done—once it’s popular, the charm and peace vanish. Some things are worth guarding.
Wait, why are we acting like keeping nature “secret” is a good thing? Isn’t sharing it responsibly better than hiding it forever?
Honestly, why keep such natural gems secret? Isn’t nature for everyone? Feels selfish to hoard something so beautiful just to keep it “secret.”
Sometimes keeping places secret is about protecting them from destruction, not selfishness. Think about that.
Honestly, why keep such gems secret? Nature’s wonders should be shared, not hoarded like some exclusive VIP club. Let’s be real!