more stats
4,524 ft
Distance
-829 ft
Descent
00:05:21
Avg time
-829 ft
Altitude change
262 ft
Altitude min
1,092 ft
Altitude max
1,092 ft
Altitude start
262 ft
Altitude end
-18.3%
Grade
-47%
Grade max
-4.7%
Grade min
4,524 ft
Distance down
00:05:21
Avg time

Bridle Path - North side Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Gravel Bike
    • Adaptive Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Port Hills East
    Christchurch
  • Difficulty Rating
    Access Trail or Doubletrack Rate
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 100 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Doubletrack
  • Bike Type
    Adaptive MTB, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions[+]
    • Both Directions for E-Biking
    • Both Directions for Gravel Biking
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Land Owner
    Christchurch City Council

Start: The North side starts directly behind the Gondola station, at the Bridle Path car park at the base of the Gondola.

Finish: Summit Road or Lyttelton.

Access: Either from Bridle Path Road or Port Hills Road, Heathcote Valley.

Signage: Well sign posted at start and finish.

The Historic Bridle path, linking Christchurch to the port town of Lyttelton, over the Port Hills.
A well formed smooth track that gives fast access to Summit Road and the tracks beyond.
If you manage to ride up the Bridle Path from Heathcote Valley without stopping give yourself maximum fitness points as steep sections really get the heart pumping.

Once you reach the Summit Road, the Bridle Path descends into Lyttelton.
The descent track is smooth and fast, with humps scattered along the track to drain water off the surface.
This is a very popular track with walkers and runners so please give way and control your speed.
This track is the oldest track in Canterbury and was the original route connecting Christchurch and Lyttelton. Look out for interesting historical information boards and monuments along the way.
Stunning landscape with large outcrops of lava rock and Castle Rock towering above.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

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6 Months
  • 5 rides
  • 13 miles avg distance
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  • 32 rides
  • Last: Jun 11, 2026
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Bridle Path -... Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jun 10, 2025 @ 9:07pm
Jun 10, 2025
Oct 6, 2024 @ 2:37pm
Oct 6, 2024
Sep 14, 2022 @ 7:15pm
Sep 14, 2022
 Track in good condition. Steep, rocky in places, dry base
Aug 3, 2021 @ 4:01pm
Aug 3, 2021
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Status:
on Jun 10, 2025
Variable
Avg: 4.13 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to bridle-path-north-side-453219 trailhead (-43.593500, 172.707770)

        Photos

        5 more »
        38 |
        Dec 25, 2022 @ 5:10pm
        Dec 25, 2022
        55 |
        Dec 25, 2022 @ 5:10pm
        Dec 25, 2022
        18 |
        Jan 11, 2024 @ 3:03pm
        Jan 11, 2024
        18 |
        Jan 11, 2024 @ 3:03pm
        Jan 11, 2024

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        Nearby Trails

        Port Hills East

        • By joshuamerriamTF Pro LMBC & contributors
        • #453219 - 1,612 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Bridle Path - North side

        ▼ Where is Bridle Path - North side located?
        Bridle Path - North side is located in Port Hills East, Christchurch, New Zealand. It is part of the Port Hills East trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -43.5935, 172.70777.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Bridle Path - North side?
        The trail has 829 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 262 ft to 1,092 ft.
        ▼ Is Bridle Path - North side a point to point trail?
        Bridle Path - North side is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is doubletrack.
        ▼ How long is Bridle Path - North side?
        Bridle Path - North side is 4,524 ft long. The trail type is doubletrack.

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