Wild Things - New Zealand's trail running community
New Zealand's trail running community

Login



don't have an account?

Darfield Dash, Canterbury

Trail Directory proudly supported by Further Faster

Update Your Header Picture

Darfield DashBeginner

Submitted by Renee Lyons

Info Info
Map Loading

Trail Information

5.00km

50m

50m

 

Canterbury

Darfield

Urban fringe

Loop

Totally/mostly flat

Plantation/exotic forest

Beginner

0:40 (Slow)
0:30 (Moderate)
0:20 (Fast)

-0.7%

+0.7%

Download PDF Guide

Fastest Known Times (FKTs)

Please set your gender to see your position on the FKT leaderboards.

Men

Show more

Women

Show more

Filter FKTs

The more , the harder the FKT will be to beat. Learn about Fastest Known Times.

Missing your time?

Register or login as a VIP and get yourself on the FKT leaderboard!

Register Now

Description

McHughs Forest park is a flat, single track on the outskirts of Darfield. There are a variety of tracks in the forest, the greatest being 5km, the inner loop being 3km. The loops are well sign posted, so you can mix and match, or loop back and forward to increase your running distance. There is a central wide, fine gravel track, which is suitable for running with a buggy, and the single tracks are suitable for a child riding a bike - ideal for parents who want to get a run in with kids!

This is a dog friendly and bike friendly track, and its not uncommon for a half dozen cars to be parked outside, but its unlikely you will be crowded.
There are plenty of piwakawaka to keep you company. There is a clear information board with trail map, public toilet, and water fountain at the carpark.


Trail Community

Find people who are interested in this run.

You must register or login to view this content.

Features of interest

McHughs Forest Park site is a former plantation - there is a history/information board at the carpark.


Make Up of Run

Easy Single Track: 100%


Route Data

Reviews:

You must register or login to view this content.

Photos:

You must register or login to view this content.

Your Trail Wishlist

All the runs that are on your To Do list (no limit).

Add to wishlist view wishlist

Your Trail Dreamlist

The runs you most want to do (limited to 10).

Add to dreamlist view dreamlist

Wild Explorers

I did it!
  • Access

    Drive west from Darfield on SH73, turning right across the train tracks onto Horndon Street. You will see the forest block from the SH, and it is immediately to your left.

    Plenty of parking available.

    2 km

    3 minutes

    Yes

    No

  • Staying Safe

    Easy.

    Look for the track marker posts at any intersection, they are colour coded. The whole forest is only about 5km long and 3km wide so if you really loose your bearing you won't have to go far to get out!

    Generally good.

    Cellphone.

    Water fountain at carpark.

    Boggy patches on track after prolonged or heavy rain.

  • Post run indulgence

    Darfield Bakery
    Main street
    BEST pies in all of canterbury, and a donut filled with custard and salted caramel sauce....

  • Sponsor this trail

    If you are interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch below:

    Submit

Got a favourite trail? Tell us about it.

Share the love and add your favourite trail(s) to our growing trail directory.

Submit A Trail

Become a member today

Start enjoying the many benefits to becoming a member of our thriving community.

Become a member

Great brands at great prices with our VIP member's discount

Stay up to date

Sign up to our newsletter for latest offers and trail guides

Share this trail with a friend:

VIP Membership

Please register as a VIP or login to your VIP account to view this content.

Cancel Login Register

Membership Required

You can see up to three trail guides without being logged in but after that we require you to be logged in to your Free or VIP account. If you don’t yet have an account you can register here.

Login Register