Lyttelton to Diamond HarbourIntermediate

Description

This route starts in Lyttelton and ends in Daimond Harbour. Plenty of parking in Lyttleton ( tip: park on main road close to ferry so you don't have far to get to your car when you return by ferry). Find your way (signposted) to the start of the Bridal Path track and follow to Summit Rd. Turning left onto Summit Rd you can either run the road right to Gebbies pass (24km) or take the Crater Rim Track or a mix of both. Where Summit Rd meets Gebbies Pass Rd turn left and run 100m and Packhorse Hut Track starts here on the right hand side and is clearly marked from this point. The track undulates for a few kms from here before climbing to a saddle where you'll find the hut (approx. 29k).
From here take the track that works it's way around the back of Mt Bradley. The track starts with a steady climb and gets steeper for some time as you climb to near the top of Mt Bradley where the track undulates it's way across to the Mt Herbert shelter (approx 35k). The views on a good day from Packhorse Hut and Mt Herbert go for ever towards Lyttleton, Chch, the alps, Kaikoura and Banks Peninsula when you look the other way.
From the Shelter it's a short climb to the top of Mt Herbert before a rewarding descent to Daimond harbour. The track is well marked (around 7k to the bottom) and when you reach the main road you take a right turn and a couple of hundred metres along the road you will see a sign post with Diamond Harbour Jetty/Ferry and you take a left turn and the jetty is approx. 1km from this sign. Ferries leave approximately every 30 min. Price currently is $6-50 one way. Nice way to end a great journey.

Features of interest

Track passes the following:
Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird, Gebbies Pass, Packhorse Hut, Mt Bradley & Mt Herbert

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 30%

Easy Single Track: 15%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 20%

Gravel Road: 5%

Sealed Road: 20%

Route Data