Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024
Mt Vernon Farm Track
Submitted by Conor Keena
Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 38 ?
7.4km
435m
435m
462m
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Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024
Submitted by Conor Keena
Last Updated: 14th Mar 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 38 ?
7.4km
435m
435m
462m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
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%
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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).
This trail includes the peak Mount Vernon.
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.
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
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Can be run in either direction to qualify for FKTs
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The upper part of the Valley Track to Rapaki Saddle is largely unmarked and difficult to follow. Lots of pushing through tall tussock and stumbling in & out of the drainage makes for awkward and slow travel. To avoid this bit I would stay on the upper Rapaki Track to the saddle then join the Valley Track from there, same as in the "Up hill down valley" Wild Things trail.
October 16, 2024
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 :)
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.
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.
December 20, 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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