Last Updated: 24th Apr 2024
The Bowenvale Elevator
Submitted by Martin Lukes
Last Updated: 24th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 13 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
11.2km
470m
470m
440m
Last Updated: 24th Apr 2024
Submitted by Martin Lukes
Last Updated: 24th Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 13 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
11.2km
470m
470m
440m
Urban fringe
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Dog Friendly
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.6%
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1:45
Slow
1:20
Moderate
0:50
Fast
This a fantastic run for anyone on a short time leash or wanting an introduction to Christchurch's Port Hills. Warm up on Centaurus Road and Bowenvale Ave. Head up the gravel valley track (well marked) and keep going straight ahead up the main valley. The track changes into a rough stone surface through trees and then turns into a single track going over some cool small bridges. Keep going up the valley until the valley pinches at a fork. Go left and follow this in a zig zap up onto a leading grassy spur called the Elevator. This ramps you up right onto the Summit Road ridgeline. From here the views are expansive and stunning. Kaikouras, Southern Alps, Pacific and the Banks Peninsula massif. Head west to the top of Victoria Park then descend tracks to the main carparks, Sign of the Takahe and Dyers Pass Road. Plenty of toilets in Vic Park, water and cafes at the top of Hackthorne Road. Something for everyone: social to those wanting a hard training session. Food , pub and buses await at the finish.
Great variety of terrain so close to New Zealand's second largest City. Hidden streams, rocky steps, wild tops and groovy parks.
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! Buses head frequently past going East / West and North / South. Loads of parking on suburban streets or even the pub.
2 km
11 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
Keep to right turns... Bowenvale, Summit Road, top of Vic Park at the Trees.
Perfect throughout.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water stops in Vic Park and at the Sign of the Takahe public loos.
Bowenvale Valley track can be very wet after rain. Dries quick.
Be careful in cold Sou' west as the Summit Road can be genuinely brutal in wintery conditions.
Watch out for under-runners on singletrack, rocky steps and traffic in urban areas.
Protocol
corner Dyers / Colombo Street
A pub.
Cashmere Cuisine
Dyers / Colombo Street shops
Meat ... and plenty of it.
Cashmere Fish and Chips
west near Dyers / Colombo Street shops
Post run nutrition...
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and The Bowenvale Elevator
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Bowenvale let me count the ways i love thee, fantastic track grinding up to the summit road. Absolutely love a bit of road running so took the option of running the road while dodging boy racers. always nice to descend through Victoria Park especially on a windy day.
Really enjoyed the road section from Tahake to Bowenvale gave me a chance to try and pick up some time lost on the climb.
Looking forward to having another crack at this.
May 16, 2021
Started up the dry Bowenvale track and was quickly reminded that I hadn't done any hilly trails for over three weeks but enjoyed the climb. Very chilly on top with a gusty easterly so was great to be in the shelter of Victoria Park on the way down. Discovered the visitor centre there that I'd not seen previously. The 3km paved run down from the Sign of the Takahe reminded by why I so prefer running on trails instead.
October 16, 2020
Like Rebecca, I am not a fan of the road descent. Like Rebecca, I usually prefer going down Bowenvale not up. Nice circuit though! I usually go along the Bowenvale Traverse track rather than Summit Rd, and I usually go up/down the East Side track rather than the Elevator. Nice to mix it up :)
April 25, 2020
Glad I wore my road shoes for the road descent. Think if i ever did it again I would run it in reverse.
March 9, 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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