Castle Hill Peak (1998 m) is the highest point on the Torlesse Range, a prominent feature on the western skyline for much of the northern Canterbury Plains. An unmarked but well-worn route leads from Porters Pass to the summit, allowing for a physically-challenging day walk.
| Details | |
| Length | 11 km return to the summit from SH73 |
| Time Required | 5-8 hrs return to the summit from SH73 |
| Trail Type | Unmarked route |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 940 m |
| Max Elevation | 1998 m |
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Castle Hill Peak Route is an unofficial, unmarked route and does not connect with any other official tracks.
1 hr from Christchurch
The easiest way to climb Castle Hill Peak is from Porters Pass on SH73. At the summit of the pass there is a layby next to the eastbound lane. The highway makes a sharp turn around a blind corner here, so take care when pulling over.
From the highway, the route immediately begins climbing Foggy Peak Ridge. On the lower slopes the route passes through scattered sub-alpine scrub, then tussock higher up, though the steep slope is largely bare scree. The summit of Foggy Peak (1741 m) may be a destination in its own right for some, and a good pitstop to assess whether conditions are suitable for continuing further.
From Foggy Peak, the route drops into a saddle, then climbs again along a broad ridge to point 1842. The ridge is bare scree, completely devoid of any vegetation above ankle height, and is particularly exposed when a strong nor’west wind is blowing. The summit of Castle Hill Peak looms ahead, where you’ll encounter the trickiest part of the route, as the ridge narrows and steepens. Here the final ascent is complicated by loose scree and a steep drop to the west. The summit is marked by a trig point, with a bench cut into the eastern side offering some welcome shelter from the westerly winds.
Return the way you came.
Beyond Castle Hill Peak summit
Experienced and fit parties have options for continuing onward along the range from the summit, with The Gap being a common destination. The Gap is a distinctive notch in the range, about 30 m across with sheer 50 m high cliffs on either side, and visible from as far away as the Port Hills in Christchurch.
There are options for descending into the Kowai Valley, either directly from The Gap, or via a circuit traversing Red Peak and Mt Torlesse, though permission should be sought from Brooksdale Station before doing so.
The Torlesse Range is an alpine environment, so thorough preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The route is located at a high elevation and is extremely exposed, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up. As this is an unmarked route, you must have appropriate navigation skills, especially when visibility is poor.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Castle Hill Peak (1998 m) is the highest point on the Torlesse Range, a prominent feature on the western skyline for much of the northern Canterbury Plains. An unmarked but well-worn route leads from Porters Pass to the summit, allowing for a physically-challenging day walk.
| Details | |
| Length | 11 km return to the summit from SH73 |
| Time Required | 5-8 hrs return to the summit from SH73 |
| Trail Type | Unmarked route |
| Physical Difficulty | Hard |
| Uses | Walking and trail running |
| Start Elevation | 940 m |
| Max Elevation | 1998 m |
1 hr from Christchurch
The easiest way to climb Castle Hill Peak is from Porters Pass on SH73. At the summit of the pass there is a layby next to the eastbound lane. The highway makes a sharp turn around a blind corner here, so take care when pulling over.
From the highway, the route immediately begins climbing Foggy Peak Ridge. On the lower slopes the route passes through scattered sub-alpine scrub, then tussock higher up, though the steep slope is largely bare scree. The summit of Foggy Peak (1741 m) may be a destination in its own right for some, and a good pitstop to assess whether conditions are suitable for continuing further.
From Foggy Peak, the route drops into a saddle, then climbs again along a broad ridge to point 1842. The ridge is bare scree, completely devoid of any vegetation above ankle height, and is particularly exposed when a strong nor’west wind is blowing. The summit of Castle Hill Peak looms ahead, where you’ll encounter the trickiest part of the route, as the ridge narrows and steepens. Here the final ascent is complicated by loose scree and a steep drop to the west. The summit is marked by a trig point, with a bench cut into the eastern side offering some welcome shelter from the westerly winds.
Return the way you came.
Beyond Castle Hill Peak summit
Experienced and fit parties have options for continuing onward along the range from the summit, with The Gap being a common destination. The Gap is a distinctive notch in the range, about 30 m across with sheer 50 m high cliffs on either side, and visible from as far away as the Port Hills in Christchurch.
There are options for descending into the Kowai Valley, either directly from The Gap, or via a circuit traversing Red Peak and Mt Torlesse, though permission should be sought from Brooksdale Station before doing so.
The Torlesse Range is an alpine environment, so thorough preparation and care should be made to ensure a safe trip. The route is located at a high elevation and is extremely exposed, so proper outdoor clothing is essential. You must always be prepared for freezing conditions and take extreme care if snow and ice and are present. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you as there are no water sources on the way up. As this is an unmarked route, you must have appropriate navigation skills, especially when visibility is poor.
See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.
Castle Hill Peak Route is an unofficial, unmarked route and does not connect with any other official tracks.
Updated 2 March 2025