Last Updated: 31st Aug 2024
Tussock Hill Ridge
Submitted by Corey Woodward
Last Updated: 31st Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 13 ?
Gnarl Factor: 74 ?
5.0km
410m
410m
411m
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Last Updated: 31st Aug 2024
Submitted by Corey Woodward
Last Updated: 31st Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 13 ?
Gnarl Factor: 74 ?
5.0km
410m
410m
411m
Urban fringe
Out and Back
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Open ridges/tops
Volcanic
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +17.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -17.5%
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Not suitable
Slow
1:00
Moderate
0:45
Fast
This track runs through Tussock Hill Farm which was purchased by the Summit Road Society with the intention of making it available as an open reserve space. While they are establishing a development plan this remains a working farm and signage indicates that public are allowed to move about the property, taking extra care around stock and natural hazards. It is very steep, and narrow, in places. Extra care should be taken on the downhill.
Starting from the Duncan Park Reserve, go through the small farm gate, head up the ridge, through the gate into the pony jump area and enter Tussock Hill Farm via the gate at the top, hang an immediate left and through the next gate. Turn right and head straight up the ridge, and keep on the ridge line except for one area near the high rocky outcrop where the trail skirts around the right-hand side and then back up onto the ridge again.
At this point on the downhill there is the only chance to go off the trail you came up, this appears to rejoin slightly further down the hill so you shouldn't get lost. Take some time to soak in the view from the top of Tussock Hill and then head down the other side towards Summit Road, the trail gets a little hard to discern here, but follow the fence line and you'll get to a gate, angle to the left and you'll soon be at the boundary with the Summit Road.
On the other side of this fence is the Crater Rim Trail and the fence appears to have been pushed down and should one wish it would be possible to hop over and join this trail. The electric wire was not working and was hanging on the ground at time of submission.
Awesome views of the New Brighton coast all the way to Kaikoura, also views over the plains to the Alps and from the top one gets a great view down into Lyttelton harbour.
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.
There is roadside parking across the road. There is a rather nice carpark at Duncan Park but it is chained closed at time of submission.
7 km
13 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Only the one point noted in the description above.
Generally good.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Gaiters
No drinking water available, bring your own.
Can see this route being very windy in a NW or Southerly. Will also be slippery on the steep downhill after rain.
Rocky in places
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Tussock Hill Ridge
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I found the ascent a bit of a grunt, but the descent was super fun! Technical but still runnable for me. Epic views. This is a fair weather run - the ridge is quite exposed to winds and the descent would be no fun if it was muddy.
September 29, 2021
KR
Pretty straight forward up & down run. A little unclear towards the Summit Road end but a quick check of the directions in the WT directory and I was on my way again. Extra star purely for the variety of views - city to the north west, sea to the north east, harbour to the south and tussocks all around.
July 6, 2021
Wow, that's a real scramble in spots for me, or maybe I didn't quite find the trail on the highest and last of the knobs? Found myself resorting to the bum scoot to get down but apart from that it's an amazing and clearly less frequented trail. I'm sure to hold the SKT for forever!
December 28, 2020
Short and steep, and empty! Nice easy track to follow and awesome views at the top. Will definitely go back for more of this one.
December 27, 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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