Ben More Tops Circuit, Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ
Rugged scenery as you ascend to Ben More (1655m) along broad ridges on this circuit walk in Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
I’d heard this circuit walk along the tops of Ben More, the high point of the Big Ben Range in Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park, was a good winter tramping option, with safe enough travel for those less experienced in snow. By time we did the walk in early spring there’s wasn’t much slow left, but enough to add to the aesthetics of the area. However I think the rugged scenery would look good in any season.
With only two other walkers on the mountain that day we enjoyed some solitude, however there were hunters in the surrounding area, so try not to look like a deer! You can also climb Big Ben at the southern end of this range.
Looking up at tops from near the start. Two four wheel drive vehicles came along the dry riverbed, probably from a hunting trip. This rugged valley provided good views for much of the walk.
Mt Hutt at the back. Sophia looking back towards the scenery at the north end of Lake Coleridge. She actually couldn’t face forward because the wind was too strong. A wide panorama of the area around Lake Coleridge and the Rakaia Valley. Easy walking once up onto the ridge. The summit of Ben More up there to the right (1655m), and our descent route, the ridge running down to the left.
The southern end of the Craigieburn Range at the back.
Looking out over the Canterbury Plains towards the Port Hills, just visible in the distance. Vegetable sheep I think. There were lots in this spot. Very cool. Sophia on a shingle slope climbing to point 1660m. Looking west from the saddle between the two ridges. We ascended up this ridge and then returned on the right. Sophia backed by mountains around Lake Coleridge. We ascended up this ridge. Sophia backed by the valley between the two ridges of this walk. Nice muted colours here looking towards the Torlesse Range. The Coach Stream Route to Trig M is down there, and that’s a nice moderate sized walk. Walking down the ridge towards the start with the Rakaia Valley and Southern Alps in the distance. Looking back at the summit. Looking towards the start as we made the final descent.
Track Notes
Off track the whole way but easy navigation in clear visibility. A bit steep on the initial ascent and final descent.
Off track the whole way but easy navigation in clear visibility. A bit steep on the initial ascent and final descent, and also from the saddle to point 1660m, but easy walking for the most part on the tops. The vehicle track at the start was a bit of a river in places, but it’s not hard to find a route up over the stream and onto the flats, then just head straight for the spur. I suspect this walk would be nice in either direction. It’s a fairly long walk with roughly 950m of ascent and descent over 16km.
More information on Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park on the DOC website.
We parked in a small layby at a sharp turn in Lyndon Road, just a few metres from the vehicle track at the start.
