Last Updated: 9th Apr 2024
Bodybag
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 9th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
5.7km
300m
300m
490m
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Last Updated: 9th Apr 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 9th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
5.7km
300m
300m
490m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.6%
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1:00
Slow
0:50
Moderate
0:40
Fast
From the carpark follow the well defined 4WD trail alongside the Adventure Park fence. Spare a moment and take in the impact of the 2017 Port Hills fires - this was a catastrophic time for this area and completely changed countryside both here, and in the Adventure Park over the fence.
About half way up the main 4WD 'road' dog-legs into the bike park. Leave this road and carry on straight up hill on the obvious trails and soon you will get a view of the short and very sharp last ascent up to the top of the ridge- this last section is known colloquially as The Bodybag, for obvious reasons that your lungs will remind you of as you gasp up the final stretch.
There is a short extension to this run for a final bit of vert up the Flying Nun trail around to a locked gate, which is as close as you can get to the top of Marleys Hill proper without entering private land or the Adventure Park. Either complete the run by tracing your steps with a fast downhill, or link onto one of the many Crater Rim options in either direction. Up to you - these are all on the Directory elsewhere!
This trail includes the peak Marleys Hill.
Head up Worsley Spur alongside the Christchurch Adventure Park. Going up The Bodybag is a classic initiation right for runners and bikers alike in the Port Hills
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.
Park up at road end, minding out for access to private residences and gates to paddocks
10 km
20 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Its all pretty straightforward.
Perfect throughout.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
BYO, there are no water sources and it can get blazingly hot during a summer norwester
Can get muddy in parts after rain
Silverbacks Cafe
Cracroft
https://www.facebook.com/SilverbacksCafe
Great coffee, food and a cold drink option at the foot of the hill
Christchurch Adventure Park cafe
Foot of the hill off Worsleys Rd
https://www.christchurchadventurepark.com/
Great spot in the bush for a Cassells Beer or two
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Bodybag
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A great trail if you love vert and an elevated heart rate, the last part is rather lumpy and bumpy before you hit the road at the top. Be aware of Mountain bikers whizzing down.
April 26, 2021
What a concept to drive halfway up the hill to start the run :D I live near here and had always run up on the track next to the road, from bottom to top... much nicer to do it this way. Not my favourite hill to run up but wow the views are rewarding!
April 3, 2021
Uphill! Plenty of ouch in this one. Do watch out for mountain bikers, not all of them have the control that they think they have!
May 31, 2020
Great views and runnable hill in both directions. Well worth the drive to a quieter hill track than others nearby.
May 17, 2020
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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