Last Updated: 15th Jan 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Never Trust A Crocodile

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 15th Jan 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 9

Gnarl Factor: 38

6.1km

200m

200m

131m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Plantation/exotic forest

Open farmlands

Volcanic

Run Makeup

10%
40%
30%
20%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +9.2%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:00

Slow

0:45

Moderate

0:30

Fast

Never trust a crocodile - or in this case the Crocodile Track as its a shared use Mountain Bike and walking area. Therefore it is recommended to take the uphill option for the MTB section in order to better spot the bikes coming. And look out for the deliberate dead end trails!

This is a nice short loop around a popular reserve and recreational area. Start up with the hill walking trail which will send you on a short loop to the park boundary top warm up before you enter the Crocodile Track. As stated, be on the lookout for bikes but there's tonnes of room and just keep heading up until you emerge into grasslands above the forest. Pick up the Valley Trails as they wind up and switch back until you spit out above the houses where the Kennedys Bush Track heads out up to the top of the Port Hills. At this stage hit the road downhill for a short stretch - the optional zig zig descent and ascent back is a false lead/dead end but nice trail training.

Take the map because you can't trust a crocodile when there's so many wrong turns to make! But really, its pretty straight forward

Head past the Rocks Rd and pick up the entrance to Halswell Quarry Park from above. Loop around the top of the quarry and then pick up the trails that run through the foot of the park and around the fence to the beginning. Great views from the lookout.

Historic Quarry Park
Sister Cities plantations and art
Views across Christchurch

Carpark off Cashmere Road

10 km

19 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Take the map :)

Perfect throughout.

Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.

Some taps in the main bit of the Quarry Park near the end

Slippery when wet- probably avoid the crocodile when its too wet to preserve the track for the bikers

Beware of fast travelling bikes downhill in the Crocodile section.

Craythornes
Halwell Road
https://www.craythornes.co.nz/
Pub grub and refreshments

The Old Vicarage
Halswell Rd
http://www.theoldvicarage.co.nz/
Higher in feed and drink

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Never Trust A Crocodile 4 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Enjoyable route when you know exactly where to go, can be pretty slippery in places after some rain (in the first km at the triangle loop coming down next to the fence).

Other than that, rather enjoyable.

Jonathan Scott

August 21, 2022

Nice mix of trail types, some growing native bush, grassy areas and hard packed trails through a farm

Daniel Parkinson

September 28, 2020

I have an issue with promoting downhill mtb trails on a running website so I only did this when the trails were closed to bikes after rain. That also meant it was very slippery and muddy. Not on my repeat list.

Rebecca Sunderland

June 6, 2020

Nice loop, thoroughly enjoyable! Highly varied over such a short distance. Stay alert for bikes when going up the Crocodile Track. The zigzag descent/ascent was a highlight - I've run amongst Kennedys / Quarry Park maybe a dozen times, but never knew about it. Great views as always. Lovely to finish by winding along through the wetlands.

Matt Halverson

May 7, 2020

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