The Pipeline of PainIntermediate
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Native bushOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/topsVolcanic
Intermediate
1:15 (Slow)
1:00 (Moderate)
0:45 (Fast)
-18.7%
+21.4%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
Here's one for the slightly masochistic. 'The Pipeline' is a classic Christchurch gutbuster, often used by sports teams training for new seasons, walkers wanting a bit more grunt, and even the odd mad trail runner.
Leave the carpark and head straight up the Bridle Path a few hundred metres to the first hairpin bend. Here you will be eyeballing the LPG gas pipeline that heads straight up a steep ridge. Yes- this IS your route- simply follow the pipeline to the Summit Road. Hop the fence and away you go, there is a pretty well defined trail but your calves will soon feeeeeeeeel the burn as you crawl up!
It might only be 1km to the Summit Road, but most people will take 10-15 minutes to grovel, clamber and gut-bust their way up. Once you've hopped the fence at the top and caught your breach follow the Summit Road around to the Bridle Path summit and take the downhill towards the Lyttelton Port. Spare a thought for those early settlers who got off the First Four Ships and panted their way up this hill with all their worldly belongings all those years ago.
About 3/4 of the way down you will spot a knobby outcrop to the right side of the trail. Pick up the unmarked side track that heads to the right off the Bridle Path here. This technical wee section will zigzag a descent down to the Lyttelton Harbour side of the gas pipe, diving in and out of native regeneration as it gradually drops its way to the lower sections of the pipeline before it hits Harmans Road. take note, it can get very slippery in here after wet weather - you have been warned!
Just before the pipeline hits Harman's Road there is a signpost marking the Stan Helms track, accessed by a large stile over the pipeline. Stan Helms is your friendly return back up the hill to the Summit Road again, initially zig-zagging and then steepening up a rocky ridge before it sweeps around onto the top. Nice technical trail uphill, with fabulous views.
The final section is the rapid descent down the Heathcote side of the Bridle Path where you complete your historic journey, and get to eyeball the mighty pipeline again on the way past. If you are especially keen you could always go up again!
Trail Community
Features of interest
250m of vertical just in the first 1km
Classic views of Christchurch and Lyttelton
The Historic Bridle Path
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 50%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Easy Single Track: 20%
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

Gondola Gallop
Length: 11.30km

Lyttelton Dress Circle
Length: 9.00km

Lyttelton Semi-Circle
Length: 5.70km

Christchurch 360 Trail - Sugarloaf Hills Section
Length: 18.20km
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
Base of Bridle Path. Heathcote Valley
Park at the start of the track, or just down the road if its full
10 km
19 minutes
Yes
No
-
Staying Safe
Hard.
Make navigation of this route super-easy by using the Capra app on your phone. View on Capra .
If you keep touching the pipeline you can't get lost! On the rest its pretty well defined.
Perfect throughout.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.
You can fill up at the bottom of the Bridle Path (start)
In winter it can occasionally get a bit icy or a bit muddy.
As noted, take good grippy soles if its been wet, especially for the trail descending the Lyttelton side.
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Post run indulgence
Christchurch Gondola
Mt Cavendish.
https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch_gondola/
Take the ride from the run finish line, or divert up to the Top Station for a 'free ride" and hit the cafe. Stunning viewsValley Inn Tavern
2 Flavell Street, Heathcote Valley
http://www.valleyinntavern.co.nz/about-us
Historic rebuilt tavern with great food and refreshments -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Godley Head loop
Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour
Halswell and Kennedys
Summit Walkway
The Bowenvale Elevator
The Gorsetrack Strikes Back
Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
Port Hills Nearly Half Marathon
Horse Longitudes
Horse Latitudes
Sumner Half Heads
Whigs' Flying Fifty (WFF)
VKV challenge
Banks Peninsula Ultra Beer Run
Bottle Lake Blue Loop
Gebbies to Packhorse Romp
Hagley Figure of 8
Bowenvale / Huntsbury Loop
Avon City Loops
Avon - Source to Surf
Okuti to Hilltop Amble
Gondola Gallop
Orton Bradley Loop
The ATH (Around The Harbour)
Lava - H.ELL Loop
Travis Wetland Loop
Punk Rock Assault On Windsor Castle
The Guv'nor & His Birds
The Crater Rim
Lava Lite
Takahe Half
North New Brighton Spit
Mt Pleasant Trig
God's Con - Rehab Road
Gang of Four
Dog Sniffing Rhythms - Harbour Crusin'
Trinity - Harbour Bruisin'
Gates Of The East
Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop
Lyttelton Dress Circle
A Diamond in the Rough
Port Hills Spur Challenge!
Up Hill Down Valley
The Coffee Run
Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me
Never Trust A Crocodile
Lyttelton Semi-Circle
Hagley Perimeter
Holliss Stairway to Heaven
Diamond, Herbert & Fitzgerald
Barnett Bunker Buster
Mt Vernon Farm Track
Vicki Vale
Heathcote River Run - Opawa to Hoon Hay
Christchurch 360 Trail - Sugarloaf Hills Section
Little Learner Loop (Halswell Quarry)
Bird to Bird
Port Hills Protocol
Bodybag
O'Farrells For Shore
The Governator
Heathcote Meander
Spitting Distance
Montgomery Loop
Canterbury Agricultural Park Loop
2 Sugars, 2 Vernons & a Half Shot
Quail Island Looping
The Chairlift Choice
Tussock Hill Ridge
Mt Pleasant Elevator
McLeans Meander
Girdle the Groynes
Governator 2 - Judgement Day
Christchurch 360 Trail - Godley Cliffs Section
Westmorland Wetland Time Trial
Loopy in Siberia
The North Faces
Westmorland Hill Reps
360 Trail - Dunes Wetlands Section
Rocking Gibraltar
Dune Bugging
Hey Sisters!
Living Springs Loop
Springing Around Longhurst
Lady Isaac Loop
The Missing Link
Beer Bum Bluffs
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Surf's Up!!!
Styx Pick Me Up
Orton Odyssey
Shoeing the Horse
Tauhinu-Korokio TKO
Double Top
Beginner's Adventure Park Loop
Boulder Dash
Clan of the Cave Runner
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