Last Updated: 27th Feb 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Horse Longitudes

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Matt Doherty

Last Updated: 27th Feb 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 13

Gnarl Factor: 28

10.6km

340m

340m

270m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Coastal

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

10%
60%
30%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +11.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1.30:00

Slow

1.00:00

Moderate

0.45

Fast

10km loop over the Sumner valley, Couple of small grunts mixed in with some cruisey smoothish trails and a few short semi technical sections. Great for a midweek tempo run or for a nice wee cruise with friends
Head up Captain Thomas track for approx 2kms then take the right hand track (mtb) up to the sumit road. Head left through the crossroads then straight after the cattle stop turn right & pick up the mtb track. Follow this track till you hit the first fenceline. Turn left and follow a faint farm track down the fencline till you hit a gate at the bottom. Over the gate & right on the road for a few meters until you see the faint farm track below you (if you come to a gravel road you have gone to far but can use this anyway)

Head straight down until you hit the stockyard fence, left along the fence until you see a left hand turning with a marker post. Take this turning and follow this track through a couple of fast semi-technical sections, ignore the junction on the right and head back uphill until you hit a stile. Over the stile and through the small patch of bush, turn left at the junction to the sumit crossroads. Head straight cross the crossroads and turn right onto Captain Thomas and back down to the start.

Plenty of parking on Lower Sumnervale Drive where the houses have been removed post quakes. Purple bus route end of line is 100m past Lower Sumnervale Drive

14 km

25 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

Perfect throughout.

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

If needed, there is a tap outside one of the buildings in the horses field at the start/finsh area

Some clay sections of Captain Thomas can be tricky after heavy rain

Dog friendly but be aware this area is regularly full of sheep.
Be aware of mountain bikes on the first half of the track.

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Horse Longitudes once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

A true showcase of Sumner views. Awesome run, even on a miserable day.

Katie Ridley

July 20, 2021

Great views, runnable trails, and easily accessible yet you still feel it’s a bit of an adventure. Loved it!

Matt Halverson

June 6, 2021

This is a really cool loop. Great views all round and lots of lovely single track fun to enjoy.

Stefanie Parks

February 7, 2021

I love the easier inclinations on this loop, so nice to follow the contours!

Isobel Stout

January 3, 2021

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