The Bowenvale ElevatorBeginner
Submitted by Martin Lukes
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Open farmlandsOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Beginner
1:45 (Slow)
1:20 (Moderate)
0:50 (Fast)
-8.6%
+9.5%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
This a fantastic run for anyone on a short time leash or wanting an introduction to Christchurch's Port Hills. Warm up on Centaurus Road and Bowenvale Ave. Head up the gravel valley track (well marked) and keep going straight ahead up the main valley. The track changes into a rough stone surface through trees and then turns into a single track going over some cool small bridges. Keep going up the valley until the valley pinches at a fork. Go left and follow this in a zig zap up onto a leading grassy spur called the Elevator. This ramps you up right onto the Summit Road ridgeline. From here the views are expansive and stunning. Kaikouras, Southern Alps, Pacific and the Banks Peninsula massif. Head west to the top of Victoria Park then descend tracks to the main carparks, Sign of the Takahe and Dyers Pass Road. Plenty of toilets in Vic Park, water and cafes at the top of Hackthorne Road. Something for everyone: social to those wanting a hard training session. Food , pub and buses await at the finish.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Great variety of terrain so close to New Zealand's second largest City. Hidden streams, rocky steps, wild tops and groovy parks.
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 0%
Technical Single Track: 0%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Easy Single Track: 10%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 20%
Gravel Road: 10%
Sealed Road: 30%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each
Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
Length: 15.00km
Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
Length: 13.00km
Port Hills Nearly Half Marathon
Length: 18.00km
VKV challenge
Length: 10.00km
Bowenvale / Huntsbury Loop
Length: 11.20km
Gondola Gallop
Length: 11.30km
Lava - H.ELL Loop
Length: 10.30km
Port Hills Spur Challenge!
Length: 18.50km
Vicki Vale
Length: 9.25km
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
The Classic Circuit starts opposite a pub. Always a good place to start. Good news the run is a loop.... Get cracking at the Colombo / Dyers Pass Roundabout heading East on Centaurus Road then turn sharp right heading South up Bowenvale Ave after a 500 m warm up.
Plenty! Buses head frequently past going East / West and North / South. Loads of parking on suburban streets or even the pub.
2 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
-
Staying Safe
Moderate.
Keep to right turns... Bowenvale, Summit Road, top of Vic Park at the Trees.
Perfect throughout.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Water stops in Vic Park and at the Sign of the Takahe public loos.
Bowenvale Valley track can be very wet after rain. Dries quick.
Be careful in cold Sou' west as the Summit Road can be genuinely brutal in wintery conditions.Watch out for under-runners on singletrack, rocky steps and traffic in urban areas.
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Post run indulgence
Protocol
corner Dyers / Colombo Street
A pub.Cashmere Cuisine
Dyers / Colombo Street shops
Meat ... and plenty of it.Cashmere Fish and Chips
west near Dyers / Colombo Street shops
Post run nutrition... -
Sponsor this trail
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