Tag: featured walk

Mt Sunday Track, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ

Spectacular 360 degree views from the summit of Mt Sunday on this easy 3km round trip in Hakatere Conservation Area.

Mt Sunday is a roche moutonnée on the Rangitata River Flats, and you can climb it on a marked track in less than one hour. I tend to do short walks only if they are on the drive somewhere, but with my mother visiting we (Sophia and me) decided to drive to the Ashburton Lakes district and show her the area. Mt Sunday is not far from the end of the road and so we thought we’d take the opportunity to do this excellent short walk while down that way. There are significant peaks and wide open spaces all around, so you get a lot of views for little effort. Continue reading “Mt Sunday Track, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ”

Mt Torlesse ascent, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ

Spectacular views from Mt Torlesse (1961m), taking in other peaks in the Torlesse Range, including nearby Castle Hill Peak.

Mt Torlesse (1961m) is one of the most prominent mountains on the edge of the Canterbury Plains. I’ve seen it countless times driving past on my way west to other walks, or else from up in the distant Port Hills. After more than three years living in Christchurch it was finally time to climb it, and I picked a cracker of a day. There’s views of other peaks in the Torlesse Range, including a rugged aspect of Castle Hill Peak, and beyond these are peaks in the Craigieburn Range. To the east are the Canterbury Plains, and south-west is your route up. Continue reading “Mt Torlesse ascent, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ”

Mt Catherine to 1877m, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ

Spectacular views from pt. 1877m on Mt Catherine, of the Southern Alps, other peaks in the Canterbury Foothills, & the Ashburton Lakes area.

My plans to summit Mt Catherine in mid winter turned out to be a bit ambitious, but spectacular views from the minor peak at 1877m made this an excellent walk regardless. The grandeur of the Arrowsmith Range is to the west, many snowy mountains to the north, and Mt Catherine itself to the east. To the south-west are the wide open plains of the Ashburton Lakes area. Continue reading “Mt Catherine to 1877m, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ”

Black Hill Circuit, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ

This long walk to Black Hill (2067m) via Turtons Saddle offers seriously good views of the Rakaia River and countless mountains in all directions.

I’d had Black Hill (2067m) in mind for spring, with longer days and maybe a bit of snow left to enhance the look of these bare hills. But needing a plan B one mid-winter weekend, I decided to take a chance on this long walk in the snow. And what a walk it was. The views for the middle half were just spectacular, featuring the Rakaia River and more distant tributaries, the Wilberforce and Mathias Rivers, and countless snowy high peaks in all directions. Some of the best views I’ve seen in the Canterbury Foothills. Continue reading “Black Hill Circuit, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ”

Castle Hill Peak Circuit via Mt Plenty, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ

An alternative circuit route up Castle Hill Peak (1998m), over Mt Plenty, and returning via Foggy Peak for variety. Spectacular views the whole way.

This is an alternate and much less used route up Castle Hill Peak, a Canterbury classic. Starting at Dry Stream you climb steeply up a spur to Mt Plenty, with already excellent views along the way of the Craigieburn Range and other interesting topography. From there it’s a fairly easy ridge to join the main route to Castle Hill peak from Foggy Peak. The final ascent is quite steep and requires some confidence on either scree or possibly hard snow and ice. Views from the summit include other peaks in the Torlesse Range, and out over the Canterbury Plains. Returning to the start via Foggy Peak adds variety and includes great views of Lake Lyndon. A very satisfying circuit with views the whole way. Continue reading “Castle Hill Peak Circuit via Mt Plenty, Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park, Canterbury NZ”

Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur’s Pass National Park NZ

Multiple attractive tarns and mountain views on this walk up onto the Kelly Range via Carroll Hut, in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Most of my favourite walks involve climbing a named peak for epic views. But an always worthy alternative is to visit a cluster of mountain tarns, and the Kelly Range has some real beauties. There are excellent views along the way, and continuing on a bit past the tarns to point 1363m will top it all off with big views of Tara Tama and the Taipo Valley.  Continue reading “Kelly Range Tarns, Arthur’s Pass National Park NZ”

Hamilton Peak and Nervous Knob Circuit, Craigieburn Range NZ

Fabulous views from the Craigieburn Range tops at Hamilton Peak (1922m) & Nervous Knob (1820m) on this sometimes steep circuit walk.

Another excellent walk in the Craigieburn Range, this one visiting Hamilton Peak (1922m) via Camp Saddle, then returning via Nervous Knob (1820m) and Broken River Ski Field. I liked the views from Hamilton Peak in particular, looking west over the Black and Grey Ranges, and east over the Castle Hill area. Doing a circuit adds variety and doesn’t add much to the overall time.  Continue reading “Hamilton Peak and Nervous Knob Circuit, Craigieburn Range NZ”

Ageobong 악어봉 / Crocodile Peak, Woraksan 월악산, South Korea

A short but steep hike to exceptional views of Chungju-ho Lake from Ageobong / Crocodile Peak (442m). Take your camera.

My brother in law recommended this short but steep walk to Ageobong / Crocodile Peak for on our drive back from a day out in Woraksan National Park. It was totally worth the hour or so walking (return) for the spectacular views of Chungju-ho (Lake), and the various peninsulas that jut out, looking like crocodiles in the water and giving the peak its name. Continue reading “Ageobong 악어봉 / Crocodile Peak, Woraksan 월악산, South Korea”

Jebibong Peak 제비봉, Woraksan 월악산 National Park, South Korea

Just moderate effort will get you up Jebibong Peak, with spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, mountains, cliffs & forest along the way.

This walk up Jebibong Peak in Woraksan National Park was a plan B for us, but unded up being a real gem. For just moderate effort in less than half a day you get spectacular views of Chungju-ho Lake, the largest in South Korea, surrounded by mountains, cliffs and lush forest. Continue reading “Jebibong Peak 제비봉, Woraksan 월악산 National Park, South Korea”

Uisangbong 의상봉 & Baegundae 백운대 Circuit, Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원, Seoul, South Korea

Top class scenery in Seoul’s Bukhansan National Park, on the best circuit in the park climbing Baegundae Peak (836m) via Uisangbong Peak.

Bukhansan National Park sits on the northern edge of Seoul, and offers some of South Korea’s most dramatic scenery, all accessible by public transport. The route to the spectacular high point of Baegundae Peak (836m) over Uisangbong Peak (502m) is probably the best in the park. Returning through Oryudong Valley adds variety, including a couple of temples and various traditional buildings. Expect granite cliffs, beautiful valleys, fortress gates and Buddhist temples. Continue reading “Uisangbong 의상봉 & Baegundae 백운대 Circuit, Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원, Seoul, South Korea”