Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Halswell and Kennedys
Submitted by Kieran Philip
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 17 ?
Gnarl Factor: 18 ?
12.6km
630m
625m
505m
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Submitted by Kieran Philip
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 17 ?
Gnarl Factor: 18 ?
12.6km
630m
625m
505m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.9%
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2:00
Slow
1:30
Moderate
1:00
Fast
Starting off at the carpark you head up and around the top rim of the Quarry. You then follow the signs up through some farmland and out on to a road. Take a left and follow it through a roundabout and go to the gate at the bottom of the Kennedys Bush track. Head up that track, pretty well signposted, it goes all the way up to Summit Rd. Once you reach Summit Road cross over the stile and follow the obvious trail up the hill. Continue on the steady almost straight line uphill trail for 5 minutes approx from the road up to the rocks on top of Mt Ada for one of the best views on the Port Hills, you truly get the reward for the climb up from the Quarry here.
Re-trace the same route down until you reach the houses again. Instead of going round the quarry this time you want to turn right into the valley and follow the Crocodile trails back down into Halswell Quarry Park at the bottom. There is a signposted shared use/ walking trail rather than the MTB ones to ensure you don't run into bikes. Once you hit the flat follow the trails round back to the carpark where you started to complete the run.
This trail includes the peak Mount Ada.
Great views out over Christchurch plains.
Views around Halswell Quarry.
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.
Plenty of parking in the area, some right at trail head.
12 km
25 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Pretty well signposted, though when you get to the road take a left and follow it through the roundabout up to the gate.
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water available at Halswell Quarry Park, just along entry road a little further from trailhead.
Not much shelter up on top, so make sure warm clothes are packed if looking rough.
Fair bit of lumpy volcanic rock in places, so watch footing.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Halswell and Kennedys
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SJ
Stoked to have come across this run, so close to home for me and with that view it will get me up there again and again. The uphill was a great challenge (love a good challenge) and the downhill was fuuuuuun! I don't mind running in the mountain bike park and a good way to add on some extra k's.
November 18, 2022
First part around quarry is a cute wee run and a good way to warm the legs up for the grind up from Kennedy's Bush to Summit Road. The climb to Mt Ada was very overgrown but the view at the top was worthwhile. Didnt enjoy the last bit through the MTB park...watch for fast moving bikes and hard to stay on the route. I went off course a number of times :(
February 3, 2022
KR
Enjoyable run. Nothing to see at the top due to fog but I could use my imagination :) Surprisingly comfortable run down given how steep in places it felt going up. Took the wrong tracks coming down unfortunately so ended up wandering around a bit trying to get back inline with the GPS map. Didn't encounter any bikes on the trails today but it wouldn't be very nice for runner or rider to bump into each other on these MTB tracks.
July 18, 2021
KR
Enjoyable run. Nothing to see at the top due to fog but I could use my imagination :) Surprisingly comfortable run down given how steep in places it felt going up. Took the wrong tracks coming down unfortunately so ended up wandering around a bit trying to get back inline with the GPS map. Didn't encounter any bikes on the trails today but it wouldn't be very nice for runner or rider to bump into each other on these MTB tracks.
July 18, 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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