Bridle Path, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Bridle Path is a steep track that traverses the northern rim of the Lyttelton volcano
connecting the city of Christchurch
and the port of Lyttelton
in the South Island
of New Zealand
.
It was constructed in 1850 as a bridle path
for leading horses, and was used by the early European settlers as a route from the port to new settlements on the northern side of the Port Hills
. Although very steep, it was the only means of traversing the hills until Summit Road over Evans Pass was completed in 1857. The track ascends from the port itself to a height of 350 m before descending again via Heathcote Valley
to Christchurch. It remains popular today as a walking and mountain biking
route.
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
connecting the city of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
and the port of Lyttelton
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
It was constructed in 1850 as a bridle path
Bridle path
A bridle path is a thoroughfare originally made for horses, but which these days serves a wide range of interests, including hikers, walkers and cyclists as well as equestrians. The laws relating to permissions vary from country to country...
for leading horses, and was used by the early European settlers as a route from the port to new settlements on the northern side of the Port Hills
Port Hills
The Port Hills form the northern rim of the ancient Lyttelton volcano, separating the port of Lyttelton from the city of Christchurch in Canterbury, New Zealand...
. Although very steep, it was the only means of traversing the hills until Summit Road over Evans Pass was completed in 1857. The track ascends from the port itself to a height of 350 m before descending again via Heathcote Valley
Heathcote Valley
-Location:The suburb is dominated by the approaches to the Lyttelton road tunnel, a major arterial that passes through the Port Hills. The road is part of the State Highway 74 network...
to Christchurch. It remains popular today as a walking and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
route.
External links
- Bridle Path at New Zealand Tramper