Pour Some Sugarloaf On MeBeginner - Intermediate

Description

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.

Features of interest

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

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 5%

Moderate Single Track: 40%

Easy Single Track: 50%

Sealed Road: 5%

Route Data