Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
The Coffee Run
Submitted by Kevin Holland
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 28 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
22.7km
1100m
1100m
913m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Kevin Holland
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 28 ?
Gnarl Factor: 15 ?
22.7km
1100m
1100m
913m
Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.4%
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3:45
Slow
2:45
Moderate
1:45
Fast
Start from cafe in Diamond Harbour and run to the cafe in Little River with just enough distance to be ready for the 2nd coffee. The run starts just above the Diamond Harbour wharf. Run up Waipapa Avenue, veering left to cross Marine Drive, and continuing up Waipapa Avenue to the gravel road at the top. Follow the gravel road to the right, 350m to the start of the Mt Herbert walkway. Follow the walkway to the top of Mt Herbert, head south east on the Te Ahu Patiki track towards Western Valley & Rod Donald Hut.
At 10.5km, be careful to go straight ahead and do not take the track to the left toward Monument. This is the part to be careful of in low visibility. After Little Mt Herbert (11km), follow the clearly marked track. Cross Western Valley Road at 13.5km, following the signs to Rod Donald Hut. The track to the hut branches right off the route to Hill Top. Run down the access track from the hut, joining Western Valley Road, which joins the road to Akaroa 250m from the Little River café. Continue straight ahead to the café for the 2nd coffee.
This trail includes the peak Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki.
Old totara stumps and some new bush regeneration. Great views of Lyttelton harbour and over Lake Ellesmere on a fine day.
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.
#28 bus from Christchurch City, Diamond Harbour ferry from Lyttelton and walk up the hill to the first coffee. Or drive to Diamond Harbour, with plenty of parking on Waipapa Avenue.
32 km
51 minutes
Unknown
No
Easy.
Take care from Mt Herbert summit to Little Mt Herbert summit. There is a clear trail, but there are other possible trails. The correct route had parked poles with orange markers. In very low visibility care needs to be taken to stay on the ridge line track, not dropping of either side until you start descending the face of Little Mt Herbert.
Patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Map
Water and toilet available at the Rod Donald Hut, 16km into the run.
Exposed to wind & rain all year on the top of Mt Herbert and along the ridge line. You will be on the top of a small mountain and this needs to be treated with respect. In winter there can be significant snow after the top of Mt Herbert.
Little River Cafe
Little River, at the end of the course
http://www.littlerivergallery.com/
It is one of the easiest places to convince people to come and pick you up from. It makes a great cafe stop that is combined with an art gallery. This makes it much easier to plan a one way trip when you can find people happy to go to your destination.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and The Coffee Run
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Wonderful day out, despite some low cloud and drizzle. We caught the ferry to Diamond Harbour and ran along the coastal path, rather than up Waipapa Avenue (this coastal track may have been developed since the trail was first submitted). But means you don't need to run along any roads until you leave Rod Donald Hut (good place to refill bottles and use the loo). I'd like to try it in reverse to get the Little River road section out of the way first, and then have the lovely flowing downhill off Mt Herbert. The Te Ara Pātaka track along the tops is fabulous. Congratulations to everyone involved in this.
September 26, 2022
The point to point requires some logistics but also makes it feel like an adventure. Poor viz and howling winds along the tops also make it feel like an adventure! We were dressed accordingly so no cause for concern. Ran it in reverse and was delighted that some cafe goers asked us where we’d run from as we pulled up to the DH cafe :D
July 30, 2022
I did this one from Little River to Diamond Harbour after leaving the car and the children with hubby. The day was so dramatic with low clouds, then lifting again to show the views, which were just stunning! Was great to summit a few peaks on this run, and then the descend to Diamond Harbour was very long. A very enjoyable run, just loved it.
November 26, 2018
Awesome option if you feel like looking resources for a car shuffle at bvb each end. 100% runnabke, great trails
August 5, 2018
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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