Castle Hill is a spectacular limestone area adjacent to the Arthurs Pass Highway. There are hundreds if not thousands of boulder problems, and a smaller number of roped climbs at grades ranging from the mid teens through to 32.
Most roped climbs are protected with 12mm coach bolts that do not take hangers, therefore you need to slip a wire over the head of the bolt and slide the nut tight up the wire. A few climbs require trad gear.
Another very useful site for bouldering information is, http://castlehillbasin.co.nz/areas
Castle Hill is approximately 100km from Christchurch, towards Arthurs Pass on state highway 73. The area is on the west side of the road.
There are restrictions on where you can climb or boulder on the rocks at Castle Hill. they are posted on the noticeboard at the carpark.
The main closure is the Dark Castle
PLEASE RESPECT THIS CLOSURE!! the area has rare plants, and Maori rock drawings.
Here are some exerts from DOC's website.
Ngāi Tahu wish to encourage respect for their association with Kura Tawhiti. A rock-climbing code is in place, and rock climbers are asked to be aware that to Ngāi Tahu, climbing the outcrops denigrates their tapu status.
Code of conduct for Kura Tawhiti
Visitors here to enjoy this intriguing landscape are asked to help protect these values by following the code of conduct.
•Please stay on the access track - the paddocks are private property
•Please use the provided toilet facilities
•Refrain from digging holes or disturbing the ground surface - wahi tapu (sacred places) are here
•Avoid trampling on endangered plants - use open spaces between rock outcrops rather than the bases of rock faces
•Respect fenced areas
•Take all rubbish away with you
•Please do not mark the surface of the rocks
•Consider others in the area
•Rock climbers please follow the climbing code of conduct.
| Type | Title | Link to edit content |
|---|---|---|
| Crag | Spittle Hill (48 routes) | |
| Crag | Quantum Field (102 routes) | |
| Wall | Dark Castle (53 routes) | |
| Wall | Wuthering Heights (7 routes) | |
| Wall | Lime Quarry Scarp (14 routes) |
