Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Tussock Hill Ridge

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Corey Woodward

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 13

Gnarl Factor: 74

5.0km

410m

410m

411m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Out and Back

Very hilly

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

45%
50%
5%

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +17.5%

Average Downhill Gradient: -17.5%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

1:00

Moderate

0:45

Fast

This track runs through Tussock Hill Farm which was purchased by the Summit Road Society with the intention of making it available as an open reserve space. While they are establishing a development plan this remains a working farm and signage indicates that public are allowed to move about the property, taking extra care around stock and natural hazards. It is very steep, and narrow, in places. Extra care should be taken on the downhill.

Starting from the Duncan Park Reserve, go through the small farm gate, head up the ridge, through the gate into the pony jump area and enter Tussock Hill Farm via the gate at the top, hang an immediate left and through the next gate. Turn right and head straight up the ridge, and keep on the ridge line except for one area near the high rocky outcrop where the trail skirts around the right-hand side and then back up onto the ridge again.

At this point on the downhill there is the only chance to go off the trail you came up, this appears to rejoin slightly further down the hill so you shouldn't get lost. Take some time to soak in the view from the top of Tussock Hill and then head down the other side towards Summit Road, the trail gets a little hard to discern here, but follow the fence line and you'll get to a gate, angle to the left and you'll soon be at the boundary with the Summit Road.

On the other side of this fence is the Crater Rim Trail and the fence appears to have been pushed down and should one wish it would be possible to hop over and join this trail. The electric wire was not working and was hanging on the ground at time of submission.

Awesome views of the New Brighton coast all the way to Kaikoura, also views over the plains to the Alps and from the top one gets a great view down into Lyttelton harbour.

There is roadside parking across the road. There is a rather nice carpark at Duncan Park but it is chained closed at time of submission.

7 km

13 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Only the one point noted in the description above.

Generally good.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Gaiters.

No drinking water available, bring your own.

Can see this route being very windy in a NW or Southerly. Will also be slippery on the steep downhill after rain.

Rocky in places

Trail Legend

SC

Shiro Chin

has completed Tussock Hill Ridge once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

I found the ascent a bit of a grunt, but the descent was super fun! Technical but still runnable for me. Epic views. This is a fair weather run - the ridge is quite exposed to winds and the descent would be no fun if it was muddy.

Matt Halverson

September 29, 2021

Pretty straight forward up & down run. A little unclear towards the Summit Road end but a quick check of the directions in the WT directory and I was on my way again. Extra star purely for the variety of views - city to the north west, sea to the north east, harbour to the south and tussocks all around.

Katie Ridley

July 6, 2021

Wow, that's a real scramble in spots for me, or maybe I didn't quite find the trail on the highest and last of the knobs? Found myself resorting to the bum scoot to get down but apart from that it's an amazing and clearly less frequented trail. I'm sure to hold the SKT for forever!

Isobel Stout

December 28, 2020

Short and steep, and empty! Nice easy track to follow and awesome views at the top. Will definitely go back for more of this one.

Stefanie Parks

December 27, 2020

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