Welcome to the Port Hills climbing region, Christchurch's dramatic backdrop.
While the 2011 earthquakes had a major impact in a few places, there is plenty of climbing available just minutes out of urban Christchurch.
There are a few traditional climbs and climbing areas around the Port Hills, but the region has evolved into more of a sport climbing destination.
Please observe a bit of etiquette to minimise the wear and tear on the fixed gear, as it takes precious time and money to repair.
- Abseil instead of getting lowered off (where possible), this reduces the wear through the rap station.
- If there is more than one person climbing the route, please use your own quickdraws/ carabiners until the last person has finished the climb.
- Please take a 17mm spanner with you and tighten (clockwise) any loose hangers.
- Participate in any climbing community events and working bees – this assists in keeping the climbing areas in usable condition.
Most of the crags are in Christchurch City Council Reserves, some are jointly managed with the Department of Conservation.
As with any access situation there are conflicts between stakeholders from time to time, please respect this. Reasonable conduct assists in continuing access.
There are a lot of different crags around the Port Hills, with different aspects that usually govern where the locals go climbing.
- To escape the heat or the norwester and find some shade, Lyttelton Rock, Jane Fonda Workout Wall and The Amphitheatre are good picks.
- Britten Crags are the best place to hide from the afternoon noreaster, but can get quite hot on summer afternoons.
- Barnett Park would be the most sheltered spot in the Port Hills. Transmitter Crag sometimes stays sheltered from light southwesterlies.
- If Cattlestop Crag is wet, do not waste your time searching anywhere else, retreat indoors.
Places
| Type | Name | Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Crag | Breeze Bay | |
| Crag | The Black Wall | |
| Crag | Farm Park Crag | |
| Crag | Jane Fonda Workout Wall | |
| Crag | Wobbly Wall | |
| Crag | Ampitheatre Wall | |
| Crag | Sumner Boulevard | |
| Crag | Punk Rock | |
| Crag | Barnett Park | |
| Crag | Bivvy Rock | |
| Crag | Evans Pass | |
| Crag | Mt Pleasant | |
| Crag | Cattlestop Crag | |
| Crag | Britten Crags | |
| Crag | Lyttelton Rock | |
| Crag | The Three Sisters | |
| Crag | Crag X | |
| Crag | Wunderbar Wall | |
| Crag | Castle Rock | |
| Crag | The Tors |
|
| Crag | Te Ahi-a-Tamatea (Rāpaki Rock) | |
| Crag | Coalditz Crag | |
| Crag | Albert Terrace | |
| Crag | Huntsbury Spur Crag | |
| Crag | Cwag W | |
| Crag | One Tree Crag | |
| Crag | Transmitter Crag | |
| Crag | Gibraltar Rock | |
| Crag | Mt Vernon | |
| Crag | Traffic Control Buttress | |
| Sector | Port Hills Bouldering | |
| Crag | Tamatea | |
| Crag | Trad Crag | |
| Crag | Halfcar | |
| Sector | Port Hills Bouldering | |
| Crag | Windsor Crag |
Jane Fonda Workout Wall is now officially open.
That’s a great guide to native plants on Port Hills crags (link below).