Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
The North Faces
Submitted by Corey Woodward
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 35 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
24.8km
1200m
1200m
431m
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Submitted by Corey Woodward
Last Updated: 5th Nov 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 35 ?
Gnarl Factor: 33 ?
24.8km
1200m
1200m
431m
Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.0%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.0%
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6:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
3:00
Fast
Starting at the Sign of the Kiwi, head over Dyers Pass road and up onto Mitchell's track. Keep running along the Crater Rim, past Rapaki track and down the Bridle Path.
Near the bottom of Bridle Path turn left into the car park by the Tunnel Firefighting Water Tanks, through a couple of farm gates and then make your way around the bottom of Tussock Hill farm. When you get to the top of Mary Duncan Park, go through the gate and hang a left up the steep hill and go through the deer gate, follow the farm track beside the fence until you reach the stock water pond. After the pond head to the deer fence and turn left up the hill and follow the fence/track until you reach a dead-end in the bottom of the valley. There's a narrow track to your right that follows the bottom of the valley and passes through two small gates and rejoins the 4WD farm track. This then turns left up the very steep climb to Rapaki Track.
The gate to Rapaki Track is a very welcome sight at this stage! Cross over Rapaki Track immediately opposite the gate and you'll pick up a trail that gets you onto the Mt Vernon Valley Track.
Towards the bottom of Mt Vernon Valley take the Marette Taylor Track on your left. Follow this towards the city. At a fork take the left option up hill onto Dry Ridge Track. Once at the ridgeline, hang a left and head up to get onto the Mt Vernon Farm Track. Follow this until just before a tarn (pond) where you will head slightly right on a very lightly used narrow trail which takes you to a shelter overlooking Dry Bush Valley.
After a brief pause at the shelter drop down the hill and slightly to the right to cross over the Dry Valley Track and into the Huia Gilpin Reserve, look out of the hidden waterfall at this point. Slog your way up the reserve to meet up with the Huntsbury Track, which you will follow uphill (almost to the Summit Road) until a turnoff on your right to Bowenvale valley, zig zag your way down into the valley.
As you cross the stile into Bowenvale give yourself a pat on the back for completing a half marathon and contemplate the final climb(s) of the run. Head up to the top of Victoria Park (there's multiple ways, don't stress if you can't follow the route exactly, pick one and watch out for downhill bikes). Once at the top, drop back to Sign of the Kiwi via Thomson's Track. Easy!
This trail includes the peak Te Moenga-o-Wheke / The Tors.
Volcanic outcrops, expansive views from the tops, patches of native forest, tussock lands, and a working farm.
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.
Park up the Summit Road a bit from the Sign of the Kiwi carpark as that is now P60 and you'll be running a bit longer than that!
10 km
20 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Following the description should be enough but take a printed version of the trail map to assist.
Generally good.
Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There are a couple of drink fountains in Victoria Park but you'll have done most of your huffing and puffing by then so carry plenty of water.
The weather can change very quickly along the crater rim, carry appropriate clothing for all conditions. Sun protection in summer is essential, it can get very hot in the valleys.
Around the bottom of Tussock Hill Farm the farm track has quite a few sink holes forming, be vigilant!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and The North Faces
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This is a big tour of the Port Hills with pretty cruisy running along the Crater Rim and also heading back west along the farm track from the bottom of Bridle Path. Then you get hit with some grunty climbs in the later part. Lots and lots of farm gates to open and close. In September 2024 the Avoca Valley downhill bit alongside the stream/drainage was very overgrown, it was hard to pick out the trail because of the long grass.
September 11
Absolute blast as usual, smashed 36 minutes off my previous best this time round! The track closed sign is like the others on the Port Hills, the level of risk hasn't changed in 10 years, they're just getting around to putting up signage. The track is clear and still well used - if you're not sure about this section then you could run back up Bridle Path and then along to Rapaki to rejoin the trail - I'd rate the risk as less than Bridle Path though... enjoy!
April 12, 2021
KM
The gate by the tunnel firefighting tanks has a trail closed sign due to rock fall hazards.
December 6, 2020
Great way to link the well known tracks with lesser known linking trails. I did get a bit lost - maybe the tarn on the Farm Track disappears in the summer? Great loop for a cold day as largely protected from the southerly. Bit hot at the height of summer
October 24, 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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