Last Updated: 12th Nov 2024
Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
Submitted by Martin Lukes
Last Updated: 12th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 20 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
15.0km
660m
660m
496m
Last Updated: 12th Nov 2024
Submitted by Martin Lukes
Last Updated: 12th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 20 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
15.0km
660m
660m
496m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Other
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.9%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.8%
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2:15
Slow
1:45
Moderate
1:20
Fast
From the Wilsons / Centaurus Corner head east on Centaurus Road for abut 600 m to the steep right hander up Rapaki Road. Watch out for mountainbikers as you make your up to the end of the tarseal and the track entrance in pine trees. The pines don't last long as you pop out into tussock.
Follow Rapaki up to, then over the Summit Road. Turn right and summit Mt Vernon. Have a breather; its a great spot. Descend to the road and continue along the Crater Rim Walkway over two small knobs before the final steep East Face climb onto Mt Sugarloaf.
From the trig veer cityward down the spur, over the Summit Road and into Victoria Park. There are a myriad of tracks down into the Bowenvale Valley on your right. The best is taken from near the Vic Park play area and descends in steep zig zags to the valley floor. From here its a fast flat run gravel 4WD to the end of Bowenvale Ave. Zip down the road and follow Centaurus Road back to Fava Cafe as a cool down.
This trail includes the peaks Mount Vernon and Sugarloaf.
Rapaki is Christchurch's classic uphill. A social spot. Keep an eye out for the white metal markers identifying where an early settler or two perished in the 19th Century. The volcanic Crater Rim is wonderful scenic backdrop. The Sugarloaf Transmitter Tower will appeal to the engineer types.
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 spots to park up on side streets. Even a Mobil garage if you need the other type of refuelling. Bus stops right at corner.
5 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Easy in fine weather. Always err on side of caution if cloud low and cold winds blowing. The Port Hills in winter must never be taken lightly.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
At Cafe, Garage, Rapaki Toilet, Victoria Park
Bowenvale Valley can be slippy in wet conditions
The odd sheep, mountain-bikers and fast walkers will keep you on your toes.
Fava cafe
Centaurus Road
https://www.facebook.com/FavaCafe/
Good coffee, nice hangout, excellent cafe food.
St Martins New World
Wilsons Road
http://www.newworld.co.nz/south-island/canterbury/st-martins/
All sorts of pre and post delights. Has a cafe too
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Rapaki Sugarloaf Return
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ED
Some nice variety, and accessable vith public transport. I caught the number 17 bus from chch city.
January 21, 2023
Loved this loop. I parked at Bowenvale and got the road run out of the way at the beginning, which was a good way to warm up. Enjoyed the gentle incline up Rapaki and was cool to run some sections of the crater rim that I hadn’t been on before. I did also cheat and skip the ascent of Mt Vernon.. then the fast descent done to Bowenvale Valley was great fun. Exactly 15km and around 500m vert for me :)
September 18, 2022
A really nice loop. I was looking for a run that would simulate the Motatapu Miners Trail so used the trail directory to search for a run with similar elevation and distance and this one popped up. Great views, nice tracks. The tarmac bit at the end is meh but there is a cafe which is a bonus!
February 20, 2021
I knew this was going to be an adventure, great fun though the wind just about blew me off Sugarloaf. You just cannot go wrong when you run the Ports Hills so many options. Doing the trail in reverse could also be a good option as some bits are quite gnarly to run down. A classic Martin Lukes course - love your work.
October 22, 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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