Last Updated: 26th Oct 2024
Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
Submitted by Mark Rigby
Last Updated: 26th Oct 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 41 ?
13.0km
480m
480m
450m
Last Updated: 26th Oct 2024
Submitted by Mark Rigby
Last Updated: 26th Oct 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 41 ?
13.0km
480m
480m
450m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.3%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.5%
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1:50
Slow
1:20
Moderate
1:00
Fast
Run starts at the Sign of the Takahe. From here head 200m up Dyers Pass Rd and cross over to the left hand side and you will come across the start of Harry Ell Track. Follow this track for approx 3.2km. At the end of the track you come to Summit Rd. Turn right and run down 100m to the Sign of the Kiwi.
Here you need to look left and you will see a sign showing Sugarloaf Reserve. Enter the track here, you are now on part of the Crater Rim Track. Follow the Crater Rim (signposted) track for around 3km (total 6.3km) always staying above the Summit Rd on the right hand side. Once here there is a short sharp climb to the top of Mt Vernon ( follow the orange top markers) giving you great 360 degree views of Banks Peninsula, Christchurch and the Southern Alps.
From the top work your way down the other side towards Rapaki Track (this is a 4 wheel drive track which you can see from the top). At the bottom you will come across a shared mountain bike/ walking track, here turn left and work your way around this track until you reach the point where you climbed Mt Vernon. From here cross the road and follow the track that runs on the lower side of the Summit Rd, keeping the road on your left hand side.
Follow this track for a few kms until you come to a pine plantation (about 10.6km). Take the track to the right and cross the small cattle stop and as soon as you enter the pine forest look to the right and work your way down and you will come across a small silver gate. Go through this and then the next one (they are about 10 metres apart) and this is the start of Latters Spur Track. Follow this track for around 1km to a car park area and Latters Spur Track continues on the right hand side of this car park (about 11.5km) for another km or so. After this you will come out onto a footpath which runs next to the road into Victoria park. Follow this path down to the Sign of the Takahe and the loop is finished.
This trail includes the peak Mount Vernon.
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.
Bus Stop at the Sign of the Takahe.
7 km
16 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
At the top of Harry Ell track where you come onto the tar seal road turn right and run down 100m to the Sign of the Kiwi. Look left opposite the Sign of the Kiwi building and enter the track on the left hand side of the road (Sugarloaf Reserve).
After 10.5km you come to an area where the track has a left and right option. Take the right hand side and cross the small cattle stop and enter the pine forest and after 50m look to the right and work your way down until you see a silver gate. Go to this gate and go through it and the next one which you will also see. This is the start of Latters Spur track.
Perfect throughout.
Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Cellphone
Water available from fountains at the Sign of the Takahe and 2.5km up Harry Ell Track and at the Sign of the Kiwi.
Exposed to strong winds along the tops and when blowing southerly cold winds and sometimes snow in the winter.
Some of the track is shared with mountain bikers.
The Cup
Cnr Dyers Pass and Hackthorne rds
http://www.thecup.co.nz
best café views over chch and looking out to the southern alps.
Coffee is good as well as having a wide selection of food options including breakfast.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Sign Of The Takahe - Rapaki
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Great route for a low-key weekend outing. Would definitely recommend it for out-of-towners or new trail runners as it is a "highlights reel" of the central Port Hills. I love that the Port Hills are in our collective backyard. Nice to have the cafe at the end, too!
January 4, 2021
Great loop with a cafe at the end which is always a bonus! Some good uphill, the usual amazing port hills views and as we ran it in 28 degree heat we appreciated the shaded tree-covered parts.
November 14, 2020
TS
Enjoyable loop with a good variety of terrain, great views along the Crater Rim and a few good climbs.
March 11, 2020
Great combination of hills, views, technical and undulating single tracks. Just right for a Saturday morning, especially as it starts and ends at a cafe!
January 25, 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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