The Bridle Path was the route used by the first settlers brought by the Canterbury Association to get from the port of Lyttelton to the planned city of Christchurch. Hastily formed in 1850 when money ran out for the construction of the Sumner Road over Evans Pass, it was so steep that riders had to dismount and lead their horses, hence the name of the track. Anything too heavy to carry had to be shipped around Godley head and over the Sumner Bar into the estuary, which was extremely hazadous, and cost accordingly, up to as much again as the carriage from England to Lyttelton. Capsize and wreckage were so common that within the year there was an insurance company formed purely to insure goods on this trip.
The shelter at GZ was constructed by the women's branch of the Christchurch Citizens' Association to commemorate the centenerary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi - it was pointed out at a committee meeting that women in the other three main centres of NZ had already formed committees to the establishment of centenary memorials. A sheltered seat at the summit of the Bridle Path was proposed, dedicated to the pioneer women of Christchurch. Local architect Heathcote Helmore offered his services pro bono, and the opening in 1940 was attended by 11 buses and 100 cars' worth of people.
Waypoints for the start the track at the Christchurch and Lyttelton sides are given, the cache can also be accessed from the gondola top station down the Crater Rim track.