Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Rocking Gibraltar
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 55 ?
4.5km
230m
230m
505m
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 17th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 8 ?
Gnarl Factor: 55 ?
4.5km
230m
230m
505m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Sealed Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -13.0%
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1:00
Slow
0:45
Moderate
0:30
Fast
This is a neat little loop to explore in a lesser known but really sweet part of the Port Hills network. Great to combine with routes involving the western end of the Crater Rim Trail.
Head out from the carpark down the obvious trail. A quick zig and a zag will have you at the junction for climbing Gibraltar Rock - a compulsory diversion for stunning views. A bit scrambly near the top, but nothing technical. Once you've soaked that up head back and descend steadily down Prendergasts Track. This is an awesome flowing descent which will connect you with the bottom of Kirks Track.
Kirk is your route all the way back up, it seems to have more up than you came down but thats just an illusion. 1005 runnable and great on the calves as you climb back up to the Summit Road. There's an optional extra part way along to link Nelsons track to the waterfall and shoot up Rhodes Track - up to you! Once back at the Summit Road your car is a couple of hundred metres to the east, although if you want some icing on the cake the quick additional ascent of Coopers Knob is highly worth it for the views on the highest Port Hills trig station.
Gibraltar Rock scramble. Native forest reserve. Coopers Knob Trig (optional)
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.
You'll need a car to get to the trailhead, no public transport unless you link it with other runs - more than feasible!
18 km
35 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Take a photo of the map near the start
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
BYO. There is a natural spring made into a water source back down the road a bit.
Can get muddy in the wet
Take car on Gibraltar Rock
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Rocking Gibraltar
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KR
Made a day of it and combined this with a couple of other runs off Summit road. Every time I have visited this area there is a really chilly wind around the rock so come prepared with jacket/gloves. Once you drop down into the bush you are back into the still, quietness of remote NZ nature. Fantastic track and worth the drive. Currently roadworks up Dyers Pass road which may add 15min+ to the journey.
July 8, 2021
Much more native bush than I expected, what a great little pocket of natural wonder! Kerurus swooping gave me a fright every time but made me smile! Climbing the rock at the start makes me wonder what Tony actually rates as technical, because I reckon a scramble is possibly underselling it! Not complaining in the slightest, as we struck a dry sunny still day and loved it.
The track through the bush was well formed and makes me want to bring back my young family for a weekend walk soon, possibly with the grandparents in tow, not sure about Nana scaling the rock however haha.
February 5, 2021
Full of birds and butterflies, simply lovely bush. Perfect on a fierce NW day as it's shady and sheltered.
January 24, 2021
Spent as much time climbing up and down the rock as I did on the trail
January 21, 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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