Last Updated: 14th Sep 2024
Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 14th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
8.3km
370m
370m
500m
Last Updated: 14th Sep 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 14th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 12 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
8.3km
370m
370m
500m
Urban fringe
Combo
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open tussock/grasslands
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.8%
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1:15
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
This one is a shorter length dash for those with a little less time. Gain the first 200m of vert from town in the car and then head out on nice easy trails to the prominent Port hills landmark, complete with a trig and sensational views across Canterbury.
Follow the Harry Ell track as it ascends gently over 4 km to the Sign of the Kiwi. This is a nice wide well-graded trail with plenty of room to push past the large numbers of walkers and other runners. You get great views across to the Christchurch Adventure Park along with the impacts of the 2017 Fires in this area.
You can fill up with water at the Sign of the Kiwi when you reach Dyers Pass, then pick up the Crater Rim Trail as it ascends to the east up the flanks of Sugarloaf. Take car crossing the road if it's busy. Ignore any turnoffs and stick to the trail until you reach the Sugarloaf carpark. Here you can either head up the gated access road to the summit, or follow trails straight up the middle.
After compulsory Trig photos at the summit pick up a rough trail down the eastern side which will drop you back down to another section of the Crater Rim. Loop back around here on sweet single trail to the Sugarloaf carpark again and head down through Thompsons Reserve. There are numerous options for following back down to the Takahe through Victoria Park, the recommended best one is to pick up Latters Spur track to the playground and then head down the trail beside the road to where you started.
Don't forget to check out the views at Cracroft lookout beside the Takahe, well worth it for your warmdown.
This trail includes the peak Sugarloaf.
Shorter distance than most Port Hills loops
Fabulous 360 degree views
Sign of the Kiwi and Takahe and historic Harry Ell Track
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 and the Blue Line Bus goes up here too
6 km
15 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
As noted there are a few options for the Victoria Park descent, but most roads lead to Home
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
There's a few drinking fountains - Harry Ell track, Sign of the Kiwi and in Victoria Park
Can get pretty windy at times.
Can be slightly greasy in the wet
Protocol
Bottom of Dyers Pass Road
http://www.protocoloncolombo.co.nz/
Decent beverages and great food for post dash
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me
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Another great loop from Tony! Liked the extra bit of elevation going up to Sugarloaf and then there’s some really sweet single track as you come back down. Awesome views of mountains on one side and the harbour on the other!
August 14, 2022
Its compulsory that if you listen to music on this awesome speedy but hilly in the middle loop that you listen to Def Leppard
October 28, 2020
My bread-and-butter run is from the bottom of the hill, up to Sign of the Takahe via Valley Rd, up to Sign of the Kiwi via Harry Ell, and back. I felt like such a cheater driving up to SotT - but of course I paid for it with the climb from SotK to Sugarloaf!I am probably going to do this route more often, particularly on fine days. Stunning views atop Sugarloaf (I've been up before). It just never occurred to me to just drive to SotT and start from there.I also enjoyed the Latters Spur return (rather than coming back via Harry Ell). Great loop.
June 10, 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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