Mt Vernon, Canterbury, New Zealand

MT VERNON

Port Hills

Location:
Port Hills. 
I like the quieter ‘Dry Bush Track’ so this is how I get up there.
Head to Huntsbury Ave, and park opposite Vista Place. There’s a tiny reserve there and that’s where the trail starts.

Time:
3 hours return.
1.45 hours up, 1.15 hours down.

Difficulty.
Easy (mainly)

Dogs:
On-leash only.

I was looking for a less well-used trail close to home that would be a bit quieter. Found this one, it’s kind of a combination of tracks, but works out to be a good little route, if you’re a bit pressed on time but still want an adventure.

Once you’re parked, head down the Huntsbury Reserve Track, take your first right onto the Connector track, until you reach the Gorge Track, head up that. It’s really green and leafy and beautiful here, you’ll forget how close to civilisation you are. Climb your way up to the Dry Bush Track from here.

Once you reach the shelter you can either continue up the valley, it gets a lot harder to find the trail here, or join up to the Farm Track. Which I did on the way up. Once you get to the Lamar Car Park at the top, you can cross the summit road and find the highest point.

On the way down I took the Dry Bush Track, or what I thought that was, until the Shelter and then went up the Western Face on a connector called the ‘Waterfall Track’ which was pretty steep but takes you out to the top of Huntsbury, and you can follow the road back to where your car is parked.

Remember to check your dog’s paws for grass seeds.

Last view of the city before heading into the good stuff.

Mt Vernon Farm Track.

Christchurch City from the top.