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Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop, Canterbury

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Hunting Out A Gorge-ous LoopBeginner - Intermediate

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Info Info
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Trail Information

5.00km

260m

260m

 

Canterbury

Christchurch

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops

Beginner - Intermediate

1:00 (Slow)
0:45 (Moderate)
0:30 (Fast)

-11.6%

+12.1%

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Description

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.


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Features of interest

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


Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 30%

Moderate Single Track: 30%

Easy Single Track: 30%

Sealed Road: 10%


Route Data

Reviews:

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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

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Port Hills Spur Challenge!

Length: 18.50km

Up Hill Down Valley

Up Hill Down Valley

Length: 10.80km


Photos:

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Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    Albert Tce, St Martins.

    Park up anywhere down past the school

    5 km

    12 minutes

    No

    No

  • Staying Safe

    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

  • Post run indulgence

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

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