Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Girdle the Groynes
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 8 ?
16.9km
130m
130m
22m
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 29th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 8 ?
16.9km
130m
130m
22m
Urban fringe
Combo
Totally/mostly flat
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +0.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -1.2%
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2:15
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:20
Fast
This is a nice cruisy combo out and back/ loop run that takes in the NW fringe of Christchurch. From Lake Roto Kohato water park pick up the Otukaikino Walkway and follow easy trails through to Lake Clearwater Resort. There's a short section of footpath to a bridge here where you hang right and into the popular The Groynes Recreation Reserve. Wind your way through the Groynes, there's a number of trail options as you wind through mixed bush and lakesides.
You are aiming for the Dogpark at the northern end where you should easily pick up the northern end of the Otukaikino Walkway. Follow this for 3km to the underpass under the motorway, and then further round to the Darroch St end. Here you can pick up the Waimari Walkway as it loops around stopbanks between new housing developments until it hits the motorway and pops you back into The Groynes via the main access road. To finish pick up the trails back through the Groynes park and return to Lake Roto Kohato on the same route you came in on.
Otukaikino River, Groynes flood protection scheme and native re-plantings
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 available at Lake Roto Kohatu, take care to note gate closure times when there as there is outside parking if late in the day. There is also parking at Clearwater, Groynes and Darroch St. Buses pass from City through the Darroch Street end.
11 km
20 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
might pay to print the map or upload the GPX to a device to make sure you don't miss turns in the Groynes area
Perfect throughout.
Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Taps at The Groynes
None other than normal NZ seasonal stuff
Watch our for bikes on the corners
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Girdle the Groynes
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Nice easy place to run if looking for something non-technical but you don’t want to be on the road, varied and interesting enough.
But make sure you take the right at the small bridge! (I went left and a nice small section of trail that side but it runs out and I went around in circles for a bit before realising I was on the wrong side of the creek, added an extra 3km)
January 8, 2022
Diverse mix of park, paddock, golf course, motorway, and housing developments. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many dogs! Dead flat. Smoky, dusty, and hot on the Canterbury plains so not the most pleasant. Lots of new trails which was nice :) Not sure I’ll head back though. Just not my cup of tea.
October 3, 2021
All open again. I found it a little tricky to follow the route perfectly through the Groynes and ended up on a slightly parallel trail a coupe of times. No drama though, they all seem to lead to the same spots (as mentioned in the route description). Vegetation cover is pretty sparse in places but lets hope it gets better year by year with more planting. A few areas I had never been to before so definitely worth the explore.
September 29, 2021
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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