Last Updated: 31st Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Mark Rigby

Last Updated: 31st Oct 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 18

Gnarl Factor: 41

13.0km

480m

480m

450m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, small hills only

Dog Friendly

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

40%
45%
15%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%

Average Downhill Gradient: -10.5%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:50

Slow

1:20

Moderate

1:00

Fast

Run starts at the Sign of the Takahe. From here head 200m up Dyers Pass Rd and cross over to the left hand side and you will come across the start of Harry Ell Track. Follow this track for approx 3.2km. At the end of the track you come to Summit Rd. Turn right and run down 100m to the Sign of the Kiwi.

Here you need to look left and you will see a sign showing Sugarloaf Reserve. Enter the track here, you are now on part of the Crater Rim Track. Follow the Crater Rim (signposted) track for around 3km (total 6.3km) always staying above the Summit Rd on the right hand side. Once here there is a short sharp climb to the top of Mt Vernon ( follow the orange top markers) giving you great 360 degree views of Banks Peninsula, Christchurch and the Southern Alps.

From the top work your way down the other side towards Rapaki Track (this is a 4 wheel drive track which you can see from the top). At the bottom you will come across a shared mountain bike/ walking track, here turn left and work your way around this track until you reach the point where you climbed Mt Vernon. From here cross the road and follow the track that runs on the lower side of the Summit Rd, keeping the road on your left hand side.

Follow this track for a few kms until you come to a pine plantation (about 10.6km). Take the track to the right and cross the small cattle stop and as soon as you enter the pine forest look to the right and work your way down and you will come across a small silver gate. Go through this and then the next one (they are about 10 metres apart) and this is the start of Latters Spur Track. Follow this track for around 1km to a car park area and Latters Spur Track continues on the right hand side of this car park (about 11.5km) for another km or so. After this you will come out onto a footpath which runs next to the road into Victoria park. Follow this path down to the Sign of the Takahe and the loop is finished.

Bus Stop at the Sign of the Takahe.

7 km

16 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

At the top of Harry Ell track where you come onto the tar seal road turn right and run down 100m to the Sign of the Kiwi. Look left opposite the Sign of the Kiwi building and enter the track on the left hand side of the road (Sugarloaf Reserve).

After 10.5km you come to an area where the track has a left and right option. Take the right hand side and cross the small cattle stop and enter the pine forest and after 50m look to the right and work your way down until you see a silver gate. Go to this gate and go through it and the next one which you will also see. This is the start of Latters Spur track.

Perfect throughout.

Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Cellphone.

Water available from fountains at the Sign of the Takahe and 2.5km up Harry Ell Track and at the Sign of the Kiwi.

Exposed to strong winds along the tops and when blowing southerly cold winds and sometimes snow in the winter.

Some of the track is shared with mountain bikers.

The Cup
Cnr Dyers Pass and Hackthorne rds
http://www.thecup.co.nz
best café views over chch and looking out to the southern alps. Coffee is good as well as having a wide selection of food options including breakfast.

Trail Legend

Matt Tongue

Matt Tongue

has completed Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki 7 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Great route for a low-key weekend outing. Would definitely recommend it for out-of-towners or new trail runners as it is a "highlights reel" of the central Port Hills. I love that the Port Hills are in our collective backyard. Nice to have the cafe at the end, too!

Matt Halverson

January 4, 2021

Great loop with a cafe at the end which is always a bonus! Some good uphill, the usual amazing port hills views and as we ran it in 28 degree heat we appreciated the shaded tree-covered parts.

Stefanie Parks

November 14, 2020

Enjoyable loop with a good variety of terrain, great views along the Crater Rim and a few good climbs.

Tom Steele

March 11, 2020

Great combination of hills, views, technical and undulating single tracks. Just right for a Saturday morning, especially as it starts and ends at a cafe!

Rebecca Sunderland

January 25, 2020

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