Rapaki Sugarloaf ReturnBeginner - Intermediate

Description

From the Wilsons / Centaurus Corner head east on Centaurus Road for abut 600 m to the steep right hander up Rapaki Road. Watch out for mountainbikers as you make your up to the end of the tarseal and the track entrance in pine trees. The pines don't last long as you pop out into tussock.
Follow Rapaki up to, then over the Summit Road. Turn right and summit Mt Vernon. Have a breather; its a great spot. Descend to the road and continue along the Crater Rim Walkway over two small knobs before the final steep East Face climb onto Mt Sugarloaf.
From the trig veer cityward down the spur, over the Summit Road and into Victoria Park. There are a myriad of tracks down into the Bowenvale Valley on your right. The best is taken from near the Vic Park play area and descends in steep zig zags to the valley floor. From here its a fast flat run gravel 4WD to the end of Bowenvale Ave. Zip down the road and follow Centaurus Road back to Fava Cafe as a cool down.

Features of interest

Rapaki is Christchurch's classic uphill. A social spot. Keep an eye out for the white metal markers identifying where an early settler or two perished in the 19th Century. The volcanic Crater Rim is wonderful scenic backdrop. The Sugarloaf Transmitter Tower will appeal to the engineer types.

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 2%

Technical Single Track: 10%

Moderate Single Track: 38%

Easy Single Track: 10%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 10%

Gravel Road: 10%

Sealed Road: 20%

Route Data