New Zealand Walk: Castle Hill: a walk through huge boulders
In the eastern ranges of the Southern Alps, approximately an hour’s drive from Christchurch and between Darfield and Arthurs Pass is a basin bulging with huge boulders and rock outcrops, known as Castle Hill.
It lies between the Torlesse and Cragieburn Mountain Ranges in the South Island.
The rock formations are the water eroded remnants of limestone formed during the Oligocene age 30-40 million years ago when much of the present day New Zealand was covered by sea.
Maori appreciated that this place had a special magic, one that even the snows of winter could shroud. It is of spiritual cultural and historic significance to Ngati Tahu who named it Kura Tawhiti, (treasure from a distant land).
Hidden among the outcrops are 500 year old drawings tradi
tionally are said to have been left by the Waitaha the first people to travel in that area.
The hill was named due to the array of limestone boulders reminiscent of an old run down stone castle. The front of the Christchurch cathedral was made from boulders in the area.
Some of the most rare and endangered plants covered the area but were destroyed by fire 600 years ago and the land has been grazed for almost 150 years. Now the pasture is grazed by sheep and cattle on the iconic High Country Castle Hill Station.
This is the ideal place for walkers, rock climbers, photographers and those who want a really unique experience in this magical area.
It truly is a special place and one could spend all day exploring and taking in the unique landscapes.
As I wandered amongst the different tracks and boulders I was amazed at just how many of them portrayed face and animal like shapes and features, some even like gargoyles frozen in time perched on slopes and in hollows. It feels almost spiritual.
On the very top of the hill one can see the magnificent view down into the valley and countryside below.
It was in the summer when I visited and many people were enjoying this unique experience. If you are lucky you may even find some of the drawings.
There is a large car park just off
the main road, also toilets.
Strictly no bikes, dogs and drones and the area which is open 24/7 must be respected. It is a 10 minute stroll from the car park to reach the hill.
You need good footwear to climb the rocks and care is also a factor. The tracks are easy walking and there are wide open spaces for picnics. It is a climb to reach the top but you can zig zag your way up. Time to do this walk is at your own leisure.
Please do not pick the rare buttercup which flowers in the area at certain times of the year. They are the only remaining plants that survived the fire and are critically endangered.
Castle Hill is managed by DOC and is 33kms west of the little township of Springfield.
It is truly worth a stop on your journey along SH.73. and is visible from the main road.