Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Bodybag

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 8

Gnarl Factor: 15

5.7km

300m

300m

490m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Out and Back

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Plantation/exotic forest

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%
60%
20%
10%

Gravel Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +9.6%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:00

Slow

0:50

Moderate

0:40

Fast

From the carpark follow the well defined 4WD trail alongside the Adventure Park fence. Spare a moment and take in the impact of the 2017 Port Hills fires - this was a catastrophic time for this area and completely changed countryside both here, and in the Adventure Park over the fence.

About half way up the main 4WD 'road' dog-legs into the bike park. Leave this road and carry on straight up hill on the obvious trails and soon you will get a view of the short and very sharp last ascent up to the top of the ridge- this last section is known colloquially as The Bodybag, for obvious reasons that your lungs will remind you of as you gasp up the final stretch.

There is a short extension to this run for a final bit of vert up the Flying Nun trail around to a locked gate, which is as close as you can get to the top of Marleys Hill proper without entering private land or the Adventure Park. Either complete the run by tracing your steps with a fast downhill, or link onto one of the many Crater Rim options in either direction. Up to you - these are all on the Directory elsewhere!

Head up Worsley Spur alongside the Christchurch Adventure Park. Going up The Bodybag is a classic initiation right for runners and bikers alike in the Port Hills

Park up at road end, minding out for access to private residences and gates to paddocks

10 km

20 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Its all pretty straightforward.

Perfect throughout.

Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.

BYO, there are no water sources and it can get blazingly hot during a summer norwester

Can get muddy in parts after rain

Silverbacks Cafe
Cracroft
https://www.facebook.com/SilverbacksCafe
Great coffee, food and a cold drink option at the foot of the hill

Christchurch Adventure Park cafe
Foot of the hill off Worsleys Rd
https://www.christchurchadventurepark.com/
Great spot in the bush for a Cassells Beer or two

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Bodybag 4 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

A great trail if you love vert and an elevated heart rate, the last part is rather lumpy and bumpy before you hit the road at the top. Be aware of Mountain bikers whizzing down.

Callum Templeton

April 26, 2021

What a concept to drive halfway up the hill to start the run :D I live near here and had always run up on the track next to the road, from bottom to top... much nicer to do it this way. Not my favourite hill to run up but wow the views are rewarding!

Matt Halverson

April 3, 2021

Uphill! Plenty of ouch in this one. Do watch out for mountain bikers, not all of them have the control that they think they have!

Isobel Stout

May 31, 2020

Great views and runnable hill in both directions. Well worth the drive to a quieter hill track than others nearby.

Jeremy Wheeler

May 17, 2020

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