Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.2%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.2%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:30
Fast
Never trust a crocodile - or in this case the Crocodile Track as its a shared use Mountain Bike and walking area. Therefore it is recommended to take the uphill option for the MTB section in order to better spot the bikes coming. And look out for the deliberate dead end trails!
This is a nice short loop around a popular reserve and recreational area. Start up with the hill walking trail which will send you on a short loop to the park boundary top warm up before you enter the Crocodile Track. As stated, be on the lookout for bikes but there's tonnes of room and just keep heading up until you emerge into grasslands above the forest. Pick up the Valley Trails as they wind up and switch back until you spit out above the houses where the Kennedys Bush Track heads out up to the top of the Port Hills. At this stage hit the road downhill for a short stretch - the optional zig zig descent and ascent back is a false lead/dead end but nice trail training.
Take the map because you can't trust a crocodile when there's so many wrong turns to make! But really, its pretty straight forward
Head past the Rocks Rd and pick up the entrance to Halswell Quarry Park from above. Loop around the top of the quarry and then pick up the trails that run through the foot of the park and around the fence to the beginning. Great views from the lookout.
Historic Quarry Park
Sister Cities plantations and art
Views across Christchurch
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.
Carpark off Cashmere Road
10 km
19 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Take the map :)
Perfect throughout.
Whistle, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
Some taps in the main bit of the Quarry Park near the end
Slippery when wet- probably avoid the crocodile when its too wet to preserve the track for the bikers
Beware of fast travelling bikes downhill in the Crocodile section.
Craythornes
Halwell Road
https://www.craythornes.co.nz/
Pub grub and refreshments
The Old Vicarage
Halswell Rd
http://www.theoldvicarage.co.nz/
Higher in feed and drink
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Never Trust A Crocodile
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Enjoyable route when you know exactly where to go, can be pretty slippery in places after some rain (in the first km at the triangle loop coming down next to the fence).
Other than that, rather enjoyable.
August 21, 2022
Nice mix of trail types, some growing native bush, grassy areas and hard packed trails through a farm
September 28, 2020
I have an issue with promoting downhill mtb trails on a running website so I only did this when the trails were closed to bikes after rain. That also meant it was very slippery and muddy. Not on my repeat list.
June 6, 2020
Nice loop, thoroughly enjoyable! Highly varied over such a short distance. Stay alert for bikes when going up the Crocodile Track. The zigzag descent/ascent was a highlight - I've run amongst Kennedys / Quarry Park maybe a dozen times, but never knew about it. Great views as always. Lovely to finish by winding along through the wetlands.
May 7, 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.