Last Updated: 4th May 2024
Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 4th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 47 ?
5.0km
260m
260m
240m
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Last Updated: 4th May 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 4th May 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 9 ?
Gnarl Factor: 47 ?
5.0km
260m
260m
240m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.6%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:30
Fast
Looking for a quicker shorter run, but still want something a bit technical that gets the heart beating?
Or are you starting out on the trail running and want to test your form on a shorter run before tackling the longer ones in the directory?
Or perhaps your kids are at school down the road and you have a spare bit of time minutes to kill?
Then this is the run for you.
Follow the trail from the end of Albert Terrace and veer to the right fork at the first junction in the bush. You'll be following the wee creek into a gorge and steadily climbing through an increasingly picturesque and closed in valley as you head up the first km or so. There are a few treefalls that are easily negotiated and a few boulder sections to hop as you criss-cross the creek. Pass another junction and just keep heading up the valley until you break out of the forest and into the open slopes upstream.
You'll pass the Dry Valley junction and keep heading up valley towards a shelter half way up the valley. Cross the creek one last time and hop the stile to pick up a poled trail that takes you up the hill flank and eventually out onto Huntsbury Spur. Nice steady uphill till you gain the ridge crest and excellent views.
A short km or so on the tarmac of Huntsbury Ave follows down hill to pick up the steeper but awesome zigzag back down into the gorge, this track starts opposite Vista Place - don't miss the turn off as its the most fun part of the circuit. A rapid descent brings you down into the middle of the gorge where you can retrace your steps out to the startpoint.
Short, but sweet.
Awesome gorge with rock climbing areas
Scenic views of Christchurch
A rare Port Hills waterway
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 anywhere down past the school
5 km
12 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
It should be pretty straightforward to follow, so long as you take the right path at the junctions
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
Short enough that you might only want a wee bit, or even leave it in the car for the finish depending on how hot the day is. It can be a wee heat trap here in summer
Can be pretty muddy in the gorge after rain
Fallen trees occasionally to negotiate
Brickworks Tavern
Centaurus Rd
Great watering hole and meet up spot post run
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hunting Out A Gorge-ous Loop
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Wow, you really feel like you're not in the city. Gnarl factor is appropriate IMO - some bits are fairly technical. Great escape from normal life, while still being close to civilisation, and not being overly long.
May 2, 2021
This loop is really good fun! Short but has a bit of everything: views, uphill, speedy down, bit of technical and bit of scrambling. Loved it and learned new tracks which is always a bonus. Will definitely be back to do this one again.
March 26, 2021
This trail is perfectly named, it is absolutely gorgeous. the first bit up through the bush is amazing. I kept stopping to take photos, don't let the boulder clambering put you off this trail and one point I was questioning the trail i had taken but it all worked out. The descent down through Huntsbury reserve is a cracker though i imagine in Winter it would be a bit of a mud bath.
November 1, 2020
Perfect wee loop for when I was short on time but needed some elevation gains. Followed the gpx trail a bit too religiously at one point and was about to berate another Tony special as I put my non existent bouldering skills to use trying to get up the dry watercourse when i realised there was a perfectly runable trail just meters away! Recent maintenance means the track is not too overgrown.Yet another link discovered between trails I never knew was there. Thanks again
March 5, 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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