Last Updated: 28th Sep 2024
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Submitted by Callum Templeton
Last Updated: 28th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 48 ?
7.3km
505m
505m
390m
Last Updated: 28th Sep 2024
Submitted by Callum Templeton
Last Updated: 28th Sep 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 14 ?
Gnarl Factor: 48 ?
7.3km
505m
505m
390m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.8%
Average Downhill Gradient: -13.8%
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1:50
Slow
1:20
Moderate
0:55
Fast
Climb over the White wooden Farm gate by Tall trees next to the Heathcote Gun club at 60 Bridle Path Road, Head up the Birdsey Reserve Farm track, go past the farm gate which is usually always open. You will come to an intersection, take the track that heads left and follows the fence line until you reach the water trough. Across from this you will clearly see a single track cut into the ridge head up this track to the farm gate.
Climb over this and head left on the Morgan's Track for 100-150mtrs until you see on your right a lone Pine Tree and a post with a sign saying Ribbon track head up this till you reach the Summit Road. In 2.5kms you will climb 390m with a grade up to 49%. Once you reach the Summit Road turn left and head towards the John Britten spur track, cruise down this till you reach the Kenton track and then turn left and head down the Kenton Track. Once you reach the marker post that says V Twin MTB Track turn right and follow this track down to the small cattle stop, then turn left and climb over the stile that puts you back on the Kenton track, keep following this track until you see an orange tipped post with a sign on it saying Baa Baa track. Follow this track all the way down until it reaches the start of the Beer Bum track.
Head up the Beer Bum track until you reach the bottom of the Pine trees, instead of going left take the track that heads right this will take you behind the water reservoir, when you reach the big rock turn left and follow this track up to the Field of Dreams track. Once you reach this track turn Right and follow this track till it joins up with the old part of the Tree Hut track, go straight ahead and follow the track up through the trees to a stile, climb over this turn right and follow Morgan's track until it descends a hill by a stand of Pine Tree's. Take the track to you left and follow this down to a Farm Gate, climb over the gate and head down to the White Farm gate that you started from.
In Spring there will be lambs on the Ribbon and Baa Baa tracks. The Field of Dreams track connects the Beer Bum track to The Tree Hut this track goes through a part of Morgans Valley that was abandoned after the earthquakes. Locals have created and maintain these 3 tracks and have also embarked on a planting programme to encourage native birds to return to the area. These tracks are also used by Mountain bikers
The Ribbon track is cut up the spur Ridge behind Morgans Valley, this is Heathcote's answer to the Lava flow. Native plantings on the Beer Bum,Field of Dreams and Tree Hut Track. Birdsey reserve is also being planted out in Natives, you will come up and down through this area.
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.
Lots of parking on either side of the road
10 km
15 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
The turn off for the Baa Baa track is before you reach the farm gate on the Kenton track, when heading down the Baa Baa track you will cross the Morgan's Track, just keep heading down to reach the Beer Bum track. If you miss the turn off for the Water Reservoir and continue up the Beer Bum track when you get near the top you will see a cutting that leads to the start of the Field of Dreams track.
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone
No water on the course, water fountain at the Children's playground on Port Hills road.
The Ribbon Track is on the Ridge behind Morgan's Valley and is exposed to the wind, on a windy day you will have no cover from the Ribbon track until you start your descent on the Baa Baa track. Parts of the Baa Baa, Beer Bum and Fields of Dreams tracks can be muddy in winter and after extreme rainfall.
The Ribbon track is steep between 40-49% in places, some of the volcanic rock has moss on it which can be slippery in Winter, lots of Lambs and sheep on parts of the Ribbon,Kenton and Baa Baa track in Spring and Summer. The Field of Dreams is a new track only recently made, it is uneven in places due to clumps of grass.
Valley Inn Tavern
cnr Marsden and Flavell Sts
Great place for a cold Fanta, good food to
Upshot COFFEE
131 bridle path road
Best coffee in Chch - Please note Closed on Sunday
Dog and Horse Friendly
CRAFT ROOM CAFE
82a Port Hills Road
Open on a Sunday, Good food and Drinks
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mary Had a Little Lamb
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This trail packs huge variety into a short distance. The short bit of trail around the water tank is severely overgrown (Oct 2024), I narrowly missed a couple of pretty gnarly looking sink holes. Recommend picking an alternative for this section until someone gets in there with a weed whacker.
October 30
Feb 2024 note a few areas of pretty extreme growth of grass/ gorse. Perhaps a BSR trail maintenance day is in order for us!
February 25, 2024
Excellent hit out just love that Ribbon ascent. Also fine in reverse i came down it doing the Boulder Dash on another run.
Thanks to everyone involved in creating and publicising these new missions. Wonderful work!
November 8, 2021
More of a hike than a run for me. Don't know how anyone could run up the ribbon track or even contemplate doing it in reverse! This little lamb needed a local shepherd to guide her attempt. Still made errors despite having gpx and route description. Spring growth made for lush grass and thistles in places!
November 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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