Last Updated: 17th Aug 2024
Lyttelton Semi-Circle
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 17th Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 67 ?
5.7km
405m
405m
440m
Last Updated: 17th Aug 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 17th Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 67 ?
5.7km
405m
405m
440m
Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +16.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -16.8%
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1:15
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
This is a shorter version of the Lyttelton Dress Circle Loop also on the directory, that cuts out the Mt Pleasant bluffs for a speedier return to home base.
Park up on London Street and head out around Cunningham Terrace which loops you onto Voelas Road. Start the hill grind on Voelas and pick up Harman. On the bend you'll spot the gas pipeline coming down. Here you will find the Stan Helms track which zig zags and climbs fairly steeply all the way to the top where it joins up with the summit of the Bridle Path. Its an awesome grind up the hill.
From the top pick up the Crater Rim Trail as it heads east up to the Gondola Top Station. This is the summit of Mt Cavendish, and the high point. You could well and rightfully be tempted to pop in here and soak up the views or even grab a refreshment. In fact a great variation to this loop is to start/ finish at the Gondola and have a cold one at the end.
Follow the trail to the harbour side of the building and descent into the saddle. Here you need to turn south and look for the Major Hornbrook Trail that descends steeply back down the hill to Lyttelton suburbia. Its a fast descent, but be warned it is very greasy in the wet and for most of winter - not a place for town tyres and certainly a great section to test out your nice knobbly trail runners. Major Hornbrook bottoms out on Ross Tce where you hang a left and then a quick right to descend the road back down to the main street.
Mission complete!
Mt Cavendish and the Gondola Top Station
Great views of Lyttelton and surrounds
A couple of lesser travelled but nice technical trails
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Buses operate from town to Lyttelton. Plenty of on street free parking around
13 km
19 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Tracks are pretty obvious but watch out that you go the right way at junctions
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
BYO
Trails can be very greasy here after rain and in winter.
Watch out for the odd rockfall. There was one major slide down Major Hornbrook in the 2011 quake that caused a tragic fatality, but its all pretty stable now
London Street
Check out lots of places in the main street of Lyttelton for refeshments
Christchurch Gondola
Summit of Mt Cavendish
https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch_gondola/
great food and drinks and a sensational view
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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ED
Hot! Bit of shade heading up the start of Stan Helms track. I made use of the café opportunity at the Gondola for a cool drink.
February 6, 2023
Glad I had a newish pair of shoes for this - pretty much the entire track was either ice or mud, haha! Great fun despite never being able to let loose and run hard. Gorgeous views. Wow, it really packs a lot into a short loop.
July 4, 2021
Quick climb delivered beautiful views of Lyttelton harbour and Banks Peninsula on a sunny Sunday morning. Combined with Corey's new Tauhinu Korokio loop. Lots of technical parts, which demand good concentration, mixed in with some easy running sections.
September 21, 2020
Good testing runnable route offering the best that Lyttelton has to offer. Never any crowds but plenty of climbing to give the legs a good hit out. Great views of the harbour and a sneek peak of the North side of the hill too!
March 21, 2020
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.
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