Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Mt Vernon Farm Track

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Conor Keena

Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 14 ?

Gnarl Factor: 38 ?

7.4km

435m

435m

462m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Run Makeup

2%
40%
16%
20%
20%
2%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +13.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -13.3%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:45

Slow

1:10

Moderate

0:45

Fast

Start up the hill straight away, you'll pass some houses and at the end of the street it will look like you're going onto somebody's property - but keep going up the drive and climb over the gate. You're now on the Mt Vernon farm track, a nicely rutted and washed out 4WD track, that becomes smoother as you climb.

Go up up up for a couple of km's, and you'll get to a fence just before the Summit Road. Follow the fence along to the right until you get to a people-sized gate, go through, and cross the road. Here you'll cross the bike track, and continue straight up the face of the hill for a reasonably steep 30m-40m climb. The track then flattens out for a quick run to the summit.

From here, you can turn around and go back the way you came, or drop down the east side of Mt Vernon to the top of the Rapaki track. Start down the Rapaki track, but break off to the left and aim for the valley. The track here isn't formed very well, but for the first km I think it's best true right (east), then it will switch over to true left when you're alongside the Rapaki saddle. This single track continues all the way down to the Mt Vernon Reserve car park. You can take a nice little detour on the Marette Taylor track along the way (this is what the GPS shows).

Plenty of on-street parking.
Bus 145 goes along Centaurus Rd at the top of Hillsborough Terrace.

5 km

13 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Navigation going up is easy, just aim for the top. Coming down the valley track might be tricky, if in doubt just follow the valley, most of the track is on the west side. If you get lost here, climb up the east side to the Rapaki track. You can drop off the Rapaki via the Rodgers track to get to the Mt Vernon carpark.

Generally good.

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

None

The tracks can be quite slippy when wet, typical of the Port Hills.

There are small sink holes in the soil all over the Port Hills. Watch out for these, particularly on the valley track.

Fava Cafe
236 Centaurus Rd

Trail Legend

Steve Hanmer

Steve Hanmer

has completed Mt Vernon Farm Track twice in the last year.

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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Can be run in either direction to qualify for FKTs

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Trail Reviews

I ran it in the reverse direction as described. I suspect I would enjoy it more in the described direction. Marette Taylor Track was fun to revisit (has been a while). There’s something sadistically nice about going straight up Mt Vernon and then straight back down (I would usually go along Crater Rim for a ways). This route fits a lot into 7 k’s :)

Matt Halverson

February 18, 2021

Really fun mix of wide open farm track and thin single track. Hitting the top of Mt Vernon is a cool accomplishment before heading back down. I had never been here before and it definitely does feel like you're on someone's property to get to the start (stick to the left hand side of the drive to number 10 and the gate is at the end of this). Awesome running down in the valley and skipping the crowds on Rapaki.

Sal Aitken

February 4, 2021

Love this loop. Farm track up to Vernon is a nice grunty up and then valley track is a cool single track to come down on. Bit technical in parts too which is fun as nice to be away from the busier Rapaki track.

Stefanie Parks

December 20, 2020

The start up to Plane table is great, but Farm Track is often no fun. The Marette Taylor way back to the Mt. Vernon car park was a trail I didn't know about and absolutely loved.

Annie Radecki

December 13, 2020

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