Last Updated: 4th Sep 2024
Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour
Submitted by Mark Rigby
Last Updated: 4th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 53 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
43.5km
1700m
1700m
919m
Last Updated: 4th Sep 2024
Submitted by Mark Rigby
Last Updated: 4th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 53 ?
Gnarl Factor: 28 ?
43.5km
1700m
1700m
919m
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.5%
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7:00
Slow
5:15
Moderate
3:30
Fast
This route starts in Lyttelton and ends in Daimond Harbour. Plenty of parking in Lyttleton ( tip: park on main road close to ferry so you don't have far to get to your car when you return by ferry). Find your way (signposted) to the start of the Bridal Path track and follow to Summit Rd. Turning left onto Summit Rd you can either run the road right to Gebbies pass (24km) or take the Crater Rim Track or a mix of both. Where Summit Rd meets Gebbies Pass Rd turn left and run 100m and Packhorse Hut Track starts here on the right hand side and is clearly marked from this point. The track undulates for a few kms from here before climbing to a saddle where you'll find the hut (approx. 29k).
From here take the track that works it's way around the back of Mt Bradley. The track starts with a steady climb and gets steeper for some time as you climb to near the top of Mt Bradley where the track undulates it's way across to the Mt Herbert shelter (approx 35k). The views on a good day from Packhorse Hut and Mt Herbert go for ever towards Lyttleton, Chch, the alps, Kaikoura and Banks Peninsula when you look the other way.
From the Shelter it's a short climb to the top of Mt Herbert before a rewarding descent to Daimond harbour. The track is well marked (around 7k to the bottom) and when you reach the main road you take a right turn and a couple of hundred metres along the road you will see a sign post with Diamond Harbour Jetty/Ferry and you take a left turn and the jetty is approx. 1km from this sign. Ferries leave approximately every 30 min. Price currently is $6-50 one way. Nice way to end a great journey.
This trail includes the peak Te Moenga-o-Wheke / The Tors.
Track passes the following:
Sign of the Kiwi, Sign of the Bellbird, Gebbies Pass, Packhorse Hut, Mt Bradley & Mt Herbert
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.
Good parking in Lyttelton.
Return from Diamond Harbour by Ferry which leaves jetty every 30 minutes.
Cost around $6-50
13 km
19 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Perfect throughout.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
Sign of the Kiwi Approx 10k
Packhorse Hut Approx 29k
Mt Herbert Shelter Approx 35k
Very exposed around Packhorse Hut, Mt Bradley and Mt Herbert in Southerly conditions.
Parts of Mt Herbert Track closed during lambing season. Generally mid-Aug until mid-Sept.
Freemans Dining Room
47 London St Lyttleton
Rated No 1 in Lyttleton on trip advisor.
Personally been there a number of time and coffee is great along with a good food menu and range of Alcoholic drinks. Craft Beer etc.
Lyttleton Coffee Company
29 London St Lyttleton
http://www.lytteltoncoffee.co.nz
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour
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I did this in the direction described, which during this heatwave was perfect to get a swim off the jetty at Diamond Harbour at the end. Probably a bit faster run in reverse, but I really enjoyed it this way (plus you don't have to run up "the bastard" this way!). On the Lyttelton side you can keep to the Crater Rim trails all the way to Omahu Bush if road isn't your jam. Gebbies to Packhorse has sadly lost a lot of tree cover due to forestry so beware of extra heat and sun exposure and take enough water to get you to the Packhorse (Rhodes Spring below Cooper's Knob is usually a good source but just a trickle atm, you will have to take the road for that section to pass it). Round the back of Mt Bradley is pretty overgrown and hard going right now, but the rest of the route is sweet. Also bonus, ferry fares are 50% discounted until end of June 2023.
February 6, 2023
Ran this in reverse. So good! Worth waiting for a nice day. Stuck to the Crater Rim Walkway and had about 2100m climbing total. Came down Stan Helms rather than Bridle Path, with drinks at Eruption to finish.
March 27, 2022
Really enjoyed this run. As per some of the other comments I also did it reverse so as not to have to wait for the ferry. I thought the first half (over Mt Herbert etc) was slower going than the second (overgrown grass obscuring the track a bit in places) so was happy to have done it that way. Did a mix of summit rd and crater rim track. Nice running on the track. Had to get my gloves on at the summit of Mt Herbert - in January!
January 7, 2022
Great run! I did this in reverse to make the ferry logistics easier and to make sure that the mandatory ice cream from Sign of the Kiwi was ~30km - just when I needed it! Big day out but a great substitute for the Motatapu Marathon which COVID-ed....
March 7, 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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