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Gondola Gallop, Canterbury

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Gondola GallopBeginner - Intermediate

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Info Info
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Trail Information

11.30km

535m

460m

 

Canterbury

Christchurch

Urban fringe

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic

Beginner - Intermediate

1:45 (Slow)
1:30 (Moderate)
1:00 (Fast)

-12.4%

+13.8%

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Description

Start at Victoria Park playground or the Info Centre and head up the trails to reach the Summit Road at Thompsons Reserve. Cross the road and keep heading up to the trig at the summit of the Sugarloaf, a great view is your reward!

Descend Sugarloaf to the east on a faint trail to join the Crater Rim Track, which you then follow over the lumps and bumps of the Port Hills, including Mt Vernon, all the way to the final dash up the hill to the Gondola Top station.

Superb views on both sides of Lyttelton Harbour and the Christchurch/ North Canterbury region.

Have a feed and a drink at the Gondola and either grab yourself a ticket down the easy way, or else head down the Bridle Path to the Gondola base or Lyttleton where you can connect back to town with a bus or arranged pick up. Another fun option is to retrace your steps back to Victoria Park for a half marathon plus distance .


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Features of interest

Enjoy the expansive views along the central section of the Crater Rim Walkway, simply majestic on a clear day.


Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 55%

Easy Single Track: 30%

Sealed Road: 5%


Route Data

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Overlapping Runs

The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each

Rapaki Sugarloaf Return

Rapaki Sugarloaf Return

Length: 15.00km

Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki

Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki

Length: 13.00km

VKV challenge

VKV challenge

Length: 10.00km

Lava - H.ELL Loop

Lava - H.ELL Loop

Length: 10.30km

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Length: 18.50km

Vicki Vale

Vicki Vale

Length: 9.25km

The North Faces

The North Faces

Length: 24.80km


Photos:

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Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    Victoria Park Playground, Cashmere.

    Carparking available, buses also service Cashmere to the Sign of the Takahe and to the Bridle Path at bottom of Gondola.

    8 km

    19 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Moderate.

    Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .

    Track is pretty well marked, can be greasy after rain so have the right tread on your shoes in that event. Otherwise hard fast trails to put the hammer down on. Good exit options along the way down Huntsbury or Rapaki if the weather really goes dire.

    Perfect throughout.

    Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone.

    There is a fountain 1km from the start and also at the very beginning, otherwise carry all your water.

    Can be exposed in the worst weather, take appropriate clothing for sudden changes, check weather forecasts.

    Boy racers when crossing Summit Road!

  • Post run indulgence

    Christchurch Gondola
    Mt Cavendish
    http://welcomeaboard.co.nz/gondola/
    Great food, coffee, and superb location to finish a good gallop

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See other runs nearby:

Godley Head loop
Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour
Halswell and Kennedys
Summit Walkway
The Bowenvale Elevator
The Gorsetrack Strikes Back
Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
Port Hills Nearly Half Marathon
Horse Longitudes
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Sumner Half Heads
Whigs' Flying Fifty (WFF)
VKV challenge
Banks Peninsula Ultra Beer Run
Bottle Lake Blue Loop
Gebbies to Packhorse Romp
Hagley Figure of 8
Bowenvale / Huntsbury Loop
Avon City Loops
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Okuti to Hilltop Amble
Orton Bradley Loop
The ATH (Around The Harbour)
Lava - H.ELL Loop
Travis Wetland Loop
Punk Rock Assault On Windsor Castle
The Guv'nor & His Birds
The Crater Rim
Lava Lite
Takahe Half
North New Brighton Spit
Mt Pleasant Trig
God's Con - Rehab Road
Gang of Four
Dog Sniffing Rhythms - Harbour Crusin'
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Gates Of The East
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A Diamond in the Rough
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Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me
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Diamond, Herbert & Fitzgerald
Barnett Bunker Buster
The Pipeline of Pain
Mt Vernon Farm Track
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Heathcote River Run - Opawa to Hoon Hay
Christchurch 360 Trail - Sugarloaf Hills Section
Little Learner Loop (Halswell Quarry)
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The Governator
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