Last Updated: 22nd Aug 2024
Avon City Loops
Last Updated: 22nd Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 7 ?
11.1km
75m
75m
22m
Last Updated: 22nd Aug 2024
Last Updated: 22nd Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 7 ?
11.1km
75m
75m
22m
Urban
Loop
Totally/mostly flat
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Riverside
Other
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +0.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -0.1%
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1:30
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
Full loop here is 11km and can be squeezed into a wonderful, slightly longer lunchtime stretch out. Strike the Avon River urban trails on a sunny day and they can be surprisingly scenic.
Follow the twists and bends and meandering loops of the Avon River through firstly the Botanic Gardens, and then past the hospital as the first loop brings you back to the CBD. Pause for a moment at the Earthquake Memorial Wall, truly a place of tranquility and reflection. Carry on along the newly minted trails that dart through town following the Avon. A few works in progress are still under construction on these trails but are easily skirted around.
As you head east towards the Avon loop you may be tempted to add the Tower of Terror at the amazing Mahy/ Locke playground to get some vertical :)
Keep following the river round the Avon Loop redzone, poignant to think what was here and has been lost. Then cross the river at the Fitzgerald Bridge and head back to town following the north bank of the river past the Firefighters Memorial (part of the World Trade Centre) , Town hall, and back around the other side of the river through the Botanic Gardens from where you started.
Hagley Park Botanic Gardens
Regenerating Christchurch CBD and Earthquake Memorial
Modern and Heritage buildings
Mahy / Locke playground
Avon River and surrounds including the historic Avon Loop, now sadly Redzoned.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
You can usually find parking in Hagley by the botanic gardens, although weekends and school holidays can be busy. Otherwise parking on surrounding streets, some are metered.
1 km
4 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Take care crossing roads, and there may be the odd small detour while earthquake repairs continue.
Perfect throughout.
Cellphone, Map
Plenty of water fountains in Hagley park, and along the way at Mahy playground and near the Town Hall.
You may want thermals in winter, Christchurch can get a bit nippy at times then.
Rebuild cones and traffic occasionally.
Too many to list
All accross the CBD
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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It's not a trail run, but it's a delight seeing how the city is changing, and it does pass through a load of green space. Most of the river front is clear now, and I didn't need to divert around construction.
February 14, 2022
This is a lovely city loop with lots of pathways I’d never used before. There are a few sections still closed off so had to take a few diversions today but it made for a great recovery walk - nice and flat. I also stopped at the Boat Shed cafe both out and back for coffee and snacks - handy!
July 8, 2021
Lovely way to explore the city, especially with the Autumn colors. 70% footpath tho so not really a trail run and a few closed sections still.
May 14, 2021
Pleasant loop following the Avon River, be aware that at the moment with the North Frame bridge being built they have closed the section of track from Manchester to Colombo so on the return journey you have to cross back to the other side of the river. Several water fountains on this trail so you shouldn't over heat on a hot day.
October 31, 2020
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