Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes (includes a coffee stop)
Distance: 5 km
Start: Small gate at 68 Bridle Path Road
Finish: Same place - it's a loop
Date: Friday 24th April 2026
Today's plan was a sweet loop encompassing Morgan's Valley. Starting at a small unmarked gate at number 68 Bridle Path Road, we were hoping to get above the pines and onto a path that runs along a contour through Scott's Valley Reserve, then above Morgan's Valley before dropping down to the old Heathcote Quarry.
The Morgan's Valley tracks have been technically closed (due to rockfall danger from the bluffs above) since the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. But locals have continued to maintain a network of mostly unsigned trails. Online they have been creatively named: Baa Baa; Field of Dreams; Ribbon Ridge; Beer Bum. There are some vague descriptions on the Heathcote Valley website and a couple of Friday Walkies blog posts (Morgan's Valley Baa Baa Loop and Mount Cavendish via Scott's Valley). The best thing to do, though, is to just get in there and follow your nose.
A pleasantly pungent spicey smell greeted our nostrils as we opened the gate at number 68. Fennel. A whole glade of it - taller than us. We brushed past on a small path that led us through established community native plantings - unexpectedly lovely. There were farm gates to open and close and we took turns as we climbed the hill. A side trail was too much of a temptation but it soon petered out. In an off-piste fashion, we descended for a few minutes along a weedy fence line, unsure of where to go, and almost circled back to our starting point. Once through an open gate, we could climb out of our conumdrum and reach the desired contour line.
The track sidled along the contour, as clear as day, until it disappeared just at the ridge up to Mt Cavendish. Nevermind. Only a couple of minutes later we picked up another one which took us straight up the ridge, past the red berry trees to the pines. I was tempted to sample a berry (they looked yummy) but desisted. Later on, Google Lens identified the plant as African Boxthorn. It turns out that AI gives mixed messages as to whether the berries are safe to eat or not. Some Aussies (hardy folk) seem to be making them willy nilly into jams and sauces. Other people claim they contain toxins.
Once at the pines the pathway was obvious - an old mown grassy farm road that runs above the trees and along a fence line. It was so nice to walk in the sunlight for a bit. The fence had caught many fallen rocks, car parts and a sheep's leg (gruesome).
We got to the old Heathcote Quarry, where there were swings and a wooden seat dedicated to "Paris and Jolis 2011". Mr Thompson's Bridle Path Quarry opened in 1863, supplying stone (at two shillings per cubic foot) from a volcanic vertical dyke for many of Christchurch's buildings (including the foundations of the Cathedral) and [quote] "many private erections".
From the quarry, the contour track ran on for about another 5 - 10 minutes before intersecting with the steep steps that run all the way down the hill to number 166 Bridle Path Road. We inspected a signpost which was lying face down on the ground. "Track Closed", it said. Nevermind.
We descended the steps and walked along the Bridle Path Road admiring Linda's maunga Te Tihi-o-Kahukura. At the Upshot Coffee Roastery, warmed by the heater, it was muffins and hot drinks all around. We chit-chatted and took our sweet time, eventually extracating ourselves from that comfy setting and ambling the last leisurely stretch along Bridle Path Road back to the cars - thereby completing the loop.
