Barb
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Hanmer Springs ▷
I think Spur Track should be divided into two sections.
The bottom section is very steep. We walked it downhill, and I was happy we did! If you're not in the best shape, be prepared for plenty of stops to catch your breath and a good 40–60 minutes of steep walking.
The second half is completely different – an easy, enjoyable and kind of relaxing walk through the forest. At the top, the track opens up to stunning views, leading to 50 m long waterfall.
Personally, I wouldn't walk this track after heavy rain. It could get very muddy and slippery, especially on the steep sections. A few trees are down across the track, so you'll need to climb over or under them but nothing dramatic.
Despite the fallen trees, the track is very well marked and easy to follow. Overall, a beautiful walk and I walked with three children age 11, 9 and 7.