Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
A Diamond in the Rough
Submitted by Keith Wright
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
19.0km
940m
1030m
919m
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Submitted by Keith Wright
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 33 ?
Gnarl Factor: 50 ?
19.0km
940m
1030m
919m
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.2%
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4:00
Slow
2:45
Moderate
2:00
Fast
Navigation is pretty straightforward - keep a constant eye out for the DOC marker posts and you cannot go wrong.
An initial few hundred metres up the road leads you to the first stile and into pine forest and farmland. There's some good climbing to be had before you emerge on to hillside at around three and a half km, from there a relatively quick step to the Packhorse. Take the marked track to Mount Herbert shelter, and the side track to the summit.
There are a couple of very solid climbing km soon on the way and a couple of km that are quite technical - take care especially if you are tiring. Once at the summit its a pretty solid downhill for the next 8.5km to Diamond Harbour and a well earned coffee and meal.
This trail includes the peak Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki.
Sign of the Packhorse is one of Harry Ell's original stone teahouses on the route from Godleys Heads to Akaroa that was intended to be the Summit Road.
Fellow mammals to be seen include a good number of hares and the odd rabbit or two in the initial three or four km (if you are there at the right time of the day) and the magnificent mob of healthy Angus cattle on the Mount Herbert descent.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Parking for about a dozen cars. Don't leave valuables in car if leaving overnight as hoons seem to enjoy breaking into vehicles here ... okay during the day. However given this is a one way trip best to find some supportive friend to drop you there - and leave you whilst laughing.
Getting home is easy and fun. Take your metro card for a quick ferry ride back to Lyttleton and then the number 28 bus into the city. Ferries generally leave on the hour - but check this out using google or the metroinfo site before you leave just to be sure. http://www.metroinfo.co.nz/Pages/default.aspx
23 km
36 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Patchy.
Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
There are tanks at Packhorse and Mount Herbert Shelter. It is likely these are rainwater filled, so be on the safe side and take your own.
Closed for lambing 8 August - 15 October.
Preserved Eatery
2 Waipapa Avenue, Diamond Harbour
https://www.preserved.co.nz/
This place was open on New Year's day. Blue cod and chips went down a treat and the coffee was good. A post run beer is also an option.
The views from the back deck are great, letting you view Mount Herbert and enjoy the fact you've just descended from its peak.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and A Diamond in the Rough
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I drove to Diamond Harbour and then cycled to Gebbies Pass at the start. Good effort! On the route itself, the grass was getting quite tall at this time of year, so I had to walk parts I would ordinarily run. (Have learned the hard way not to run through the tall grass… too many face plants…) The route is less pleasant than it used to be as the logging has progressed by Gebbies and the cow presence has intensified on the flanks of Mt Herbert. Views from the top are still great though!
January 29, 2022
Nice run. Starts gently so that you can run from the beginning. The way till packhouse is fine and easy to run and find. Afterwards you need to take care at the sign. Its a bit confusing. The sign days straight to Mt Herbert what does mean slightly right an not up to Mt Bradley (there is a recognizable trail without doc markers and this is the wrong one!).The way up to Mt Herbert Shelter is a bit harder and very sunny but lovely views. Once at the top the downhill is easy and nice to run
March 3, 2019
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.
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