Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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Moa Point Loop

Akaroa, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Grunt Factor: 8 ?

Gnarl Factor: 34 ?

4.9km

235m

235m

191m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Beach

Coastal

Open farmlands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

60%
30%
10%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +9.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -12.3%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

0:50

Slow

0:40

Moderate

0:30

Fast

Start by picking up the signposted trail beside the bridge over the creek. A gentle introduction will slowly wind you up a valley and past some pleasant neighbouring estates before you cross the river. Look out for man eating crocodiles here!

From here the track gently climbs you up through regenerating natives to the ridge crest, and past several awesome art installations. Really inspirational stuff. At the top by the rhinoceros (!) follow the signpost that says Moa Point/ Lookout. This keeps climbing up through the paddocks and friendly stock. Please follow the marked trail, which will in about 10-15 mins bring you to a seat with one of the best views in Akaroa.

From the lookout seat the loop continues on a relatively newly developed trail. It is well marked and skirts more native plantings and regenerating bush. This is a most pleasant return to Children's Bay where you have a short rock hop back to the car- although if its high tide you may have a wade across for a few hundred metres.

This is a nice complement to the out and back run - Childs Play - which could easily give you two separate bags of Explorer points in relatively short order.

Great views of historic Akaroa and Harbour. Awesome sculptures and art installations

Parking for several cars at the back, otherwise park up in Akaroa township and add a km or two

1 km

3 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Its pretty well signposted so not too many dramas await

Generally good.

Lightweight fleece top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map

BYO.

Nothing noted

Look out for High Tide at the beach

Akaroa Township- plentiful options to drain a beverage on the

Trail Legend

Jeremy Wheeler

Jeremy Wheeler

has completed Moa Point Loop twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Awesome wee loop which packs in a huge variety of terrain. The only let down is the pretty mundane trudge through open pasture to the top. Top notch views and an interesting stony beach hop at the end.

Brion Matthews

August 18, 2021

Great short loop! Hills, sculptures, and views, finishing at the beach. What more could you want!

Matt Halverson

February 5, 2021

I accidentally discovered a different variation of this, it's a little longer, just over 6km. I went anti clockwise up the track for about 300m and turned left over an old bride that looks like a meadow is growing up through it. Further on, at about the 1km mark, is a seat with a stunning view over Akaroa township. The early part of the trail is a track that winds it way through open paddocks until it crosses a fence and joins up with the track coming up from the shore. More animals to be discovered here too.

John OConnell

December 5, 2020

Lovely little lunch run.
Note that there is an alterative high tide track via a waterfall. I didn't take this, but it's clearly signposted.

Conor Keena

October 29, 2020

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These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

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