Castle Hill Peak via Foggy Peak, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ
Stark and ruggedly beautiful scenery on this classic Canterbury tramp up Castle Hill Peak (1998m) via Foggy Peak, in Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
This classic Canterbury walk in Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park, an hour west of Christchurch, takes you to Castle Hill Peak (1998m), the high point of the Torlesse Range. The scenery is starkly beautiful, with large areas of scree intermixed with colourful scrub and tussock. There are extensive views over mountains, valleys, lakes and the Canterbury Plains.
You ascend steeply at first through tussock and then scree from Porters Pass (942m) to Foggy Peak (1741m), and then it’s fabulous views along a broad ridge the whole way to Castle Hill Peak. The final ascent is just steep and narrow enough to get the adrenaline flowing; at least it did for us on a very windy day indeed! In our first year living in New Zealand this was the only walk we repeated, as I wanted to do it with a bit of snow on the tops. I’ve mixed in these shots with the others, so don’t be confused by the apparent change in conditions!
You could stop at Foggy Peak for already great views, but I think you’ll be more satisfied by continuing on to Castle Hill Peak. The whole walk can easily be fit into a day. Track notes at the end.
Castle Hill Peak via Foggy Peak: The Scenery
On our way up Foggy Peak. A steep ascent through scree on Foggy Peak. A panorama of the Craigieburn Range from Foggy Peak. Looking towards Mt Torlesse and other peaks in the range. (early spring) A small Sophia on the ridge that leads to the summit, top right. (early spring) The final climb to Castle Hill Peak. This last bit looked a bit intimidating given the high winds, but it was mostly fine. A bit steep and loose in a couple of places. Approaching the summit of Castle Hill Peak. (early spring) Sophia and me on the summit of Castle Hill Peak (1998m). Our first time to use crampons and ice axe all winter, and only needed for a few short sections. It wasn’t very wintery for most of our first New Zealand winter. (early spring) Sophia liked this picture of her. Taken on the summit. (early spring)
Mt Torlesse panorama. Mt Torlesse and the Kowai River Valley. Loved the colours and textures in these hills. A panorama of other high peaks in the Torlesse Range from the summit. (early spring) Looking north. (early spring) Heading back towards Foggy Peak. Returning from the summit. I took a lot of pictures trying to represent the steepness of this section. This is probably the best. It actually felt a lot less steep this second time, possibly due to familiarity, much less wind (ie, less scary), or else in snow rather than bare scree. (early spring) Me on a fairly snowy section. (early spring)
Looking out towards the Canterbury Plains. I like the contrasts in this shot. (early spring) We stopped here to take off crampons. (early spring) Sophia on the ridge between Castle Hill Peak and Foggy Peak.
One of the valleys to the west. (early spring) Looking towards Foggy Peak. Pink hues at the saddle below Foggy Peak. You can just see Sophia at the bottom, making her way up. Sophia on the summit of Foggy Peak (1741m). The Craigieburn Range in the background. (early spring) Lake Lyndon
Panorama from Foggy Peak looking roughly south-west. Sophia descending from Foggy peak with Lake Lyndon in the background. It was around here that we passed one of my Instagram followers, only neither of us knew it then. She realised the next day after I posted a picture from the walk. Small world. (early spring) Lake Lyndon Nicely coloured fuzzy plants on the way down Foggy Peak.
Track Notes
It’s a very steep climb up Foggy Peak, much of it on scree and other loose material. Only the first few hundred metres are marked, although there are then cairns for a while. From Foggy Peak to Castle Hill Peak it’s easy walking on a mostly broad ridge until the very last ascent, which is very steep in places and a bit narrow.
It’s a very steep climb up Foggy Peak from the lay-by at the top of Porters Pass, much of it on scree and other loose material. This was pretty slow going as it felt like one step forward with half a step back. (Apparently the walking can be easier in snow). Only the first few hundred metres are marked, although there are then cairns for a while. From Foggy Peak to Castle Hill Peak it’s easy walking on a mostly broad ridge until the very last ascent, which is very steep in places and a bit narrow. There is roughly 1150m of ascent and descent from Porters Pass (942m).
Navigation was very easy in clear weather, but it’s pretty featureless in parts so I imagine it would be difficult in mist. There’s more information on this and other routes in the area on the DOC website.
