Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

The Gorsetrack Strikes Back

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Martin Lukes

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 16

Gnarl Factor: 24

14.0km

490m

490m

500m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Dog Friendly

Plantation/exotic forest

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Other

Run Makeup

30%
20%
20%
20%
10%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +7.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -8.2%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:15

Slow

1:35

Moderate

1:15

Fast

Easy warm up on the tarseal before a steep incline takes you to the Gorse Track. This fun and rugged 4WD Track takes you up to the Summit Road. Discover the precipitous delights of the Body Bag and the new Mountain Bike Adventure Park. Turn left at the Summit Road and zip back down the Harry Ell and Hackthorne Roads.

A classic course dating back to the Hey Day of New Zealand Adventure running. This is the route Keith Murray used to get fit for Coast to Coast and Adventure Racing. A regular training group still meets on Wednesdays before work.

Heaps of parking next to the river and on side streets

5 km

13 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Check out the route on map prior to the trip. Take map if unsure.

Perfect throughout.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

Sign of the Kiwi
Harry Ell Track
Sign of the Takahe

Track can be slippy in winter

Some road crossings
Under-runners
Watch out for mountain bikers

Zeroes Cafe
Corner Cashemere / Hackthorne
Great coffee at the start and finish

Trail Legend

Sia Svendsen

Sia Svendsen

has completed The Gorsetrack Strikes Back 17 times in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Once we actually got started in the right direction we were fine for most of it. Tried going backwards! Like others before me have said, it's a good climb up to Summit Road & the views are wonderful. We had a clear sunny day. Ran back partly on the road & tracks.
Like another lady mentioned about the pedestrian track from Dyers Pass to Valley Road. We actually couldn't find it, in all fairness we didn't look too hard, but it wasn't obvious. So we just ran down Dyers Pass, left at the round about & back to the Cafe. Would do this loop again. Great strength training course.

Jacqui Milton

January 8, 2023

The Gorse is definitely starting to make a comeback! I forgot how much of a grind Worsley's is, but nice and cruisy once you're up. I took the Crater Rim sections along the top instead of the road. It took me a while to follow the gpx file at the end - it ducks down a very low key pedestrian walkway at the lower corner of Dyers Pass Road just before Heaton Rhodes Place and then exits out on Valley Road.

Brion Matthews

July 21, 2021

What a great loop, any trail that starts at finishes at a cafe gets an extra star. Worsleys hill is a slog but once you reach the top its all gravy till you reach Zeroes, will try running it in reverse one day.

Callum Templeton

June 6, 2021

I love a trail that starts and finishes at Zeroes!

Richele McKenzie

March 6, 2021

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