Last Updated: 20th Jan 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 20th Jan 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12

Gnarl Factor: 33

8.3km

370m

370m

500m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Combo

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Open tussock/grasslands

Volcanic

Run Makeup

5%
50%
40%
5%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.7%

Average Downhill Gradient: -10.8%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

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.

Shorter distance than most Port Hills loops
Fabulous 360 degree views
Sign of the Kiwi and Takahe and historic Harry Ell Track

Plenty of on-street parking and the Blue Line Bus goes up here too

6 km

15 minutes

Unknown

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

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me 3 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

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!

Stefanie Parks

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

Tony Sharpe

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.

Matt Halverson

June 10, 2020

A lovely wee loop that has nice gains but still runable.

Rebecca Sunderland

March 11, 2020

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