PTC - 2026CraigieburnCircuit

CRAIGIEBURN CAMP SADDLE CIRCUIT

Saturday 28th February 2026

The four of us headed off to Craigieburn on what was promised to be a “blue bird” day weather wise and we were not disappointed with an absolutely stunning day.

When we arrived at the campground shelter at the start of the Mistletoe track there were a large number of young people camping - a Start of Year University of Canterbury trip it seemed. The broad track climbed gently for an hour or so until the turnoff to Helicopter Hill. This was a short and worthwhile detour although the view from the top was not as great as we thought it might be. There were signs of where the recent bushfire had come through.

After the slight detour we carried on up a steady uphill meandering track running parallel to the Craigieburn ski field road towards the ski lodge in the distance. We met a few mountain bikers as well as a couple and their dog (equipped with a Further Faster doggy pack).

There was a bit of consulting the I-Hike map trying to see where we were to start the ascent of Camp saddle over to the next valley. Having identified what might be the route we stopped for a quick bite to eat before starting the climb. While pondering the route, and asking for advice from passers-by, we failed to notice that we had stopped right by a sign saying “CAMP SADDLE UP SCREE” until some eagled eyed person pointed it out ( it was a bit obscured by the bush I might add).

Then it was a slow plod up the scree and tussock for half an hour or so. We finished our lunch on the top, watching some paragliders in the distance, and then followed the poled route down the gentler slope to the Broken River. At the bush line the track broadened out to a gentle sloping car width track until it met the Broken River ski road. This was followed by an hour and a half wander down the pleasant ski road to the campground - about 51/2 hours walking all up.

Graeme (leader), Karen, Joy & Frank GN

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