Last Updated: 21st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 21st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 9 ?

Gnarl Factor: 47 ?

5.0km

260m

260m

240m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Plantation/exotic forest

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%
30%
30%
30%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.6%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

1:00

Slow

0:45

Moderate

0:30

Fast

Looking for a quicker shorter run, but still want something a bit technical that gets the heart beating?
Or are you starting out on the trail running and want to test your form on a shorter run before tackling the longer ones in the directory?
Or perhaps your kids are at school down the road and you have a spare bit of time minutes to kill?

Then this is the run for you.

Follow the trail from the end of Albert Terrace and veer to the right fork at the first junction in the bush. You'll be following the wee creek into a gorge and steadily climbing through an increasingly picturesque and closed in valley as you head up the first km or so. There are a few treefalls that are easily negotiated and a few boulder sections to hop as you criss-cross the creek. Pass another junction and just keep heading up the valley until you break out of the forest and into the open slopes upstream.

You'll pass the Dry Valley junction and keep heading up valley towards a shelter half way up the valley. Cross the creek one last time and hop the stile to pick up a poled trail that takes you up the hill flank and eventually out onto Huntsbury Spur. Nice steady uphill till you gain the ridge crest and excellent views.

A short km or so on the tarmac of Huntsbury Ave follows down hill to pick up the steeper but awesome zigzag back down into the gorge, this track starts opposite Vista Place - don't miss the turn off as its the most fun part of the circuit. A rapid descent brings you down into the middle of the gorge where you can retrace your steps out to the startpoint.

Short, but sweet.

Awesome gorge with rock climbing areas
Scenic views of Christchurch
A rare Port Hills waterway

Park up anywhere down past the school

5 km

12 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

It should be pretty straightforward to follow, so long as you take the right path at the junctions

Perfect throughout.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.

Short enough that you might only want a wee bit, or even leave it in the car for the finish depending on how hot the day is. It can be a wee heat trap here in summer

Can be pretty muddy in the gorge after rain

Fallen trees occasionally to negotiate

Brickworks Tavern
Centaurus Rd
Great watering hole and meet up spot post run

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop twice in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

You and Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Wow, you really feel like you're not in the city. Gnarl factor is appropriate IMO - some bits are fairly technical. Great escape from normal life, while still being close to civilisation, and not being overly long.

Matt Halverson

May 2, 2021

This loop is really good fun! Short but has a bit of everything: views, uphill, speedy down, bit of technical and bit of scrambling. Loved it and learned new tracks which is always a bonus. Will definitely be back to do this one again.

Stefanie Parks

March 26, 2021

This trail is perfectly named, it is absolutely gorgeous. the first bit up through the bush is amazing. I kept stopping to take photos, don't let the boulder clambering put you off this trail and one point I was questioning the trail i had taken but it all worked out. The descent down through Huntsbury reserve is a cracker though i imagine in Winter it would be a bit of a mud bath.

Callum Templeton

November 1, 2020

Perfect wee loop for when I was short on time but needed some elevation gains. Followed the gpx trail a bit too religiously at one point and was about to berate another Tony special as I put my non existent bouldering skills to use trying to get up the dry watercourse when i realised there was a perfectly runable trail just meters away! Recent maintenance means the track is not too overgrown.Yet another link discovered between trails I never knew was there. Thanks again

Rebecca Sunderland

March 5, 2020

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

Overlapping Trails

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.

Rapaki Sugarloaf Return

Rapaki Sugarloaf Return

Length: 15.0km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Length: 18.5km

Level: Intermediate

Up Hill Down Valley

Up Hill Down Valley

Length: 10.8km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Other trails nearby
Punk Rock Assault On Windsor Castle

Punk Rock Assault On Windsor Castle

Length: 12.0km

Level: Intermediate

Trinity - Harbour Bruisin'

Trinity - Harbour Bruisin'

Length: 20.1km

Level: Intermediate

O'Farrells For Shore

O'Farrells For Shore

Length: 11.5km

Level: Intermediate

God's Con - Rehab Road

God's Con - Rehab Road

Length: 9.7km

Level: Beginner

Find more trails and peaks nearby