Distance: 6.63 km
Time: 2 hours (Summit Road to Governor's Bay 40 mins, Governors Bay to Summit Road 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Start: Obscure car park on Summit Road (see map at the end)
Finish: Same place (it's a loop)
Date: Friday 31st Jan 2020
We parked at the summit road car park and headed down the Watlings track, direction Governors Bay. It's a rapid descent through beautiful bush and you need reasonably good knees. You also need a decent map because it's a bit of a maze in there. Luckily I had printed an awesome Ohinetahi Reserve map put together by the Summit Road Society (Thank you!!).
We went past the Duke Street turn off then onto the Ngaio track and 40 minutes later we were standing outside She cafe ready for a flat white in a tulip cup. But HORRORS!!! It has been sold and is currently closed for refurbishment and new ownership. No more chocolates. There was nothing for it, but to head back up the hill with our hopes resting on the Sign of the Kiwi cafe.
The track back up is a bit hard to find. You head on the main road past Crystalwood Lane, direction Christchurch for about 100 meters and you see a driveway going up the hill on the left. There is actually a sign post saying 'Faulkners Track' but its hiding behind foliage and is virtually invisible. Faulkners track starts at the driveway then onto Lighthouse Lane, before crossing The Terrace and on and up up the steep hill. There are some nice rocky outcrops and a small section of bush.
At the top you can intersect with the Crater Rim Walkway but we turned off shortly before and walked the Trig V track up and over the hill and then back down to the car park. A satisfying 2 hour loop with stunning views through the Lyttleton Harbour and beyond.
At the Sign of the Kiwi Cafe HORRORS!! They had a power cut and there was no coffee. Luckily we had cash and they had fired up the gas for a cup of tea in very nice cups. They put the closed sign on the door but caffeine addicted walkers and tourists kept arriving by the dozen.
Time: 2 hours (Summit Road to Governor's Bay 40 mins, Governors Bay to Summit Road 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Start: Obscure car park on Summit Road (see map at the end)
Finish: Same place (it's a loop)
Date: Friday 31st Jan 2020
We parked at the summit road car park and headed down the Watlings track, direction Governors Bay. It's a rapid descent through beautiful bush and you need reasonably good knees. You also need a decent map because it's a bit of a maze in there. Luckily I had printed an awesome Ohinetahi Reserve map put together by the Summit Road Society (Thank you!!).
We went past the Duke Street turn off then onto the Ngaio track and 40 minutes later we were standing outside She cafe ready for a flat white in a tulip cup. But HORRORS!!! It has been sold and is currently closed for refurbishment and new ownership. No more chocolates. There was nothing for it, but to head back up the hill with our hopes resting on the Sign of the Kiwi cafe.
 |
 |
 |
At the top you can intersect with the Crater Rim Walkway but we turned off shortly before and walked the Trig V track up and over the hill and then back down to the car park. A satisfying 2 hour loop with stunning views through the Lyttleton Harbour and beyond.
At the Sign of the Kiwi Cafe HORRORS!! They had a power cut and there was no coffee. Luckily we had cash and they had fired up the gas for a cup of tea in very nice cups. They put the closed sign on the door but caffeine addicted walkers and tourists kept arriving by the dozen.
