Last Updated: 1st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Lyttelton Semi-Circle

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 1st Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12

Gnarl Factor: 67

5.7km

405m

405m

440m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Very hilly

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

10%
40%
50%

Sealed Road

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +16.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -16.8%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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

Buses operate from town to Lyttelton. Plenty of on street free parking around

13 km

19 minutes

Unknown

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

Trail Legend

RT

Rod Twist

has completed Lyttelton Semi-Circle 27 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

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.

Emma Dryland

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.

Matt Halverson

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.

John OConnell

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!

Jeremy Wheeler

March 21, 2020

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