Vicki ValeIntermediate
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushPlantation/exotic forestOpen tussock/grasslandsVolcanic
Intermediate
1:40 (Slow)
1:15 (Moderate)
0:50 (Fast)
-11.6%
+11.8%
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Can be run in either direction to qualify for FKTs
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Description
Holy Toldeo Batman! Its Vicky Vale!
Actually its not, but DC Comics fans will get the reference. This is however a wonderful loop combining Victoria Park and the the Bowenvale, hence the name.
Start by gliding up the trail elevator that is the Harry Ell Track all the way to the Sign of the Kiwi. At Dyers Pass pick up the Crater Rim Trail around the north side of the Sugarloaf, where you'll get a short but grunty climb and then sidle around to the saddle to the east.
Cross the summit road and descend into the Bowenvale Valley Track. This starts as a steady to steep old farm track which can be slippery in the wet. As it bends and levels to the west look for the signposted track that loops around the head of the valley and descends rock steps to a junction. At his junction pick up the East Side Bush track which is a pleasant and less used technical wee sidle, and eventual zig-zagging bush climb back up to the Victoria Park playground. Duck in behind the slide area and follow the main trail back down to the Takahe alongside the Victoria Park access road.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Some lesser known Port Hills trails
Great veiws
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 30%
Moderate Single Track: 30%
Easy Single Track: 40%
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
The Bowenvale Elevator
Length: 11.20km
The Gorsetrack Strikes Back
Length: 14.00km
Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
Length: 15.00km
Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
Length: 13.00km
Port Hills Nearly Half Marathon
Length: 18.00km
VKV challenge
Length: 10.00km
Gondola Gallop
Length: 11.30km
Lava - H.ELL Loop
Length: 10.30km
Takahe Half
Length: 21.10km
Port Hills Spur Challenge!
Length: 18.50km
Pour Some Sugarloaf On Me
Length: 8.30km
Photos:
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Access
Start and Finish from the Sign of the Takahe
Blue Line bus goes here from Central ChCh
6 km
15 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Moderate.
On the East Side Bush Track take care at intersections, mainly its just keep going straight until you are nearer the top.
Perfect throughout.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone.
Victoria Park and the Sign of the Kiwi have some taps, plus theres a tap on the Harry Ell
Can be slippery when wet and cold when Southerly or Easterly
A couple of sections are shared use with MTBs
-
Post run indulgence
Protocol
Bottom of Cashmere Hill
http://www.protocoloncolombo.co.nz/
Good food and cold beerBrickworks
Centaurus Road near Bowenvale Rd
thebrickworks.co.nz
Good food and cold beer -
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
The Pipeline of Pain
Mt Vernon Farm Track
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
Brooklands for the Birds.
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
Taiora Track
Landfill Lark
Morgans Baa Baa Loop
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Horsing Around
Port Hills 8-Attack
Pinecone Pirate - Waitākiri/Bottle Lake Forest Park
Frogger
Takahe to Taylors
