Last Updated: 27th Sep 2023

Beginner

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I've done it Done

The Missing Link

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Corey Woodward

Last Updated: 27th Sep 2023

Beginner

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 9

Gnarl Factor: 28

7.5km

185m

350m

356m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Point to Point (one way)

Undulating, small hills only

Native bush

Plantation/exotic forest

Volcanic

Run Makeup

18%
50%
27%
5%

Sealed Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +8.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -11.9%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

1:00

Slow

0:50

Moderate

0:35

Fast

Ever wondered if there was a way to link up with all the glorious Governors Bay trails from the city side of the Port Hills? There is! A Governors Bay local generously allows people to cross his land which provides the "missing link" between Coronation Hill, Reuter Park (donated in 1995 by Horst and Christina Reuter) and Governors Bay thus opening up a number of options for loops incorporating other Wild Things trails (such as The Guv'nor & His Birds).

Head up Harry Ell from the Sign of the Takahe to the Sign of the Kiwi, take the trail to the left of the Sign of the Kiwi. At the 4.2km mark, take the trail to the left which descends down towards Dyers Pass Road, cut over the driveway and head through the Gum trees to Reuter Park and then down to Dyers Pass Road proper. From here there is a 1.4km stretch of roadside/footpath running to reach the Governors Bay Wharf if you're headed that far.

Great views across Lyttelton Harbour and native bird life

Usually plenty of parking across the road from the Sign of the Takahe. Buses also stop there.

6 km

15 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Just head down the hill at the 4.2km mark, you really can't go wrong. The trail is signposted where is crosses driveways, etc.

Generally good.

Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.

Water available from the drink fountains part way up the Harry Ell track and at Sign of the Kiwi, no other public source of water.

The trail down to Governors Bay is likely to be very muddy post rain.

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed The Missing Link once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Great to finally connect down to Guv Bay on foot! Ran back via Titoki Track to Summit Rd and down Worsleys to home. Didn’t see a soul between Sitn of the Kiwi and lower Dyers Pass Rd but the track was in surprisingly good nick.

Matt Halverson

August 28, 2021

Great wee run with a nice downhill track into Governor's Bay. My last outing for 2020 topped off with coffee/muffin at the Cafe overlooking Lyttelton Harbour. Tasty and relaxing.

John OConnell

December 30, 2020

Awesome, thanks for putting this up. It's nice uphill too. Thanks for enabling our addictions Mr W!

Tony Sharpe

June 22, 2020

You ratbag Corey! I sent this in just after you but made it a loop rather than one way! You might have gone down hill on Choir Boy though as I think thats more interesting and less crowded than Harry Ell.Still, good on you for bringing Reuter Park into the mix.

Isobel Stout

June 20, 2020

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