Last Updated: 7th Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Up Hill Down Valley

Christchurch, Canterbury

Submitted by Tony Sharpe

Last Updated: 7th Mar 2024

Beginner - Intermediate

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 15

Gnarl Factor: 27

10.8km

450m

450m

464m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Urban fringe

Loop

Undulating, some big hills

Native bush

Open farmlands

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

5%
40%
25%
20%
8%
2%

Sealed Road

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +10.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -9.3%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

2:00

Slow

1:30

Moderate

1:00

Fast

Be it morning, noon or night this is a perfect loop to showcase all that the Port Hills has on offer.

Start up with a nice steady ascent up the tarmac of Rapaki Road. After 5 minutes your reach the lower gate of the highly popular Rapaki Track which winds its way steadily all the way to the Summit Road. At the top cross the road and pick up the Crater Rim/ 360 Trail up the east flank of Mt Vernon. Follow the zigs and zags for a satisfying ascent and some fantastic views in all directions. This is one of the best spots on the whole Crater Rim for the views. Have a breather at the top and congratulate yourself for the 450m of vert over 5km that you just nailed.

Drop rapidly off the other side of Vernon and loop back around to the Rapaki track via the shared use trail - watch your back for bikes as they can arrive fairly quickly on this stretch.

Drop down the first steeper bit of Rapaki Track until it levels off and then leave the trail to pick up the obvious waterway. This is the head of the Valley Track, which is signposted and follows the valley floor down. Parts of this steady descent can be quite technical, novices may wish to take their time.

The Valley Track terminates in a carpark. Skirt off to the right hand side across the clearing and then straight out to the alleyway into Vernon Tce which will return you to the start.

Up Rapaki to great views at the top, then an interesting lesser traveled technical trail back down

Park up by the river on Ansley Tce

5 km

12 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Only place you can go wrong is getting off Rapaki and onto the Valley Track, but its pretty straightforward. Trail is on the true left of the stream the whole way down

Perfect throughout.

Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map.

BYO, you can fill up at the bottom

All good all year but pay attention to signs during lambing- leave gates shut

Valley Track can be greasy after a wet spell

Brickworks
69 Centaurus Rd
http://thebrickworks.co.nz/
Cold beer and great food

Trail Legend

Tony Sharpe

Tony Sharpe

has completed Up Hill Down Valley twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

I prefer more variety in a Port Hills loop - this was nice enough and I quite enjoyed coming down the valley track, but overall it left me wanting more. Perhaps I have run these trails a few too many times!

Matt Halverson

May 19, 2021

I copied Callum's idea and did the track in reverse, going up the valley track, looping mount vernon and returning via rapaki which I knew I could run easier than the downhill more technical valley track. Spotted a couple of tiny yellowhead birds on the uphill valley track. Wonderful sunny day with views for miles.

John OConnell

December 28, 2020

Great loop. Love the final push up to the top of Vernon and then coming down the Valley Track is a fun technical finale!

Stefanie Parks

November 16, 2020

Enjoyable loop track, because my feet are set up with the stumble and trip option i ran the loop in reverse to ensure i didn't go splat. I was rewarded with a couple of Piwakawaka following me up the valley track for the first km. The view from Mt Vernon on a sunny day are just fantastic.

Callum Templeton

November 1, 2020

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