Little Mt Peel - Day Walk

Looking further on towards Mt Peel from Lt Mt Peel Summit

About two hours south of Christchurch and directly inland from Hinds lies the Mt Peel Conservation Area. Popular with families for the variety of day walks around the forest park, the mountain is a great introduction to day hiking in Canterbury and like all of the foothills boasts beautiful views across the Plains all the way to the coast. We were taking a couple of friends out for the day to give them a break from farm life after making the transition back from living in London and even the threat of a 30 degree day wasn't deterring any of us. 

You may need a map to guide you to Blandswood Road as the area is not well sign posted from the Arundel-Rakaia Gorge Road. Turn right straight after crossing the Rangitata and follow the river back towards the hills. There are two carparks and a formidable long drop at the beginning of a gravel road which leads to the track proper. We took Deer Spur track to the summit which was a steep but well-maintained path initially winding through some really gorgeous native bush. ​

The track then breaks through the tree line and out on to an open ridge line and up to the trig. The last section caused a bit of puffing towards the end but we were cracking into lunch after only 98 minutes with a good number of stops along the way. Having conquered the easy track we set out for a slightly more adventurous descent down the overgrown south ridge. If you're in shorts prepare to have your legs scratched up a bit negotiating this path as it obviously sees a lot less traffic than the Deer Spur side. All of us managed to slip over on the loose gravel early on the way down so take a walking pole if you're like me and are balance challenged on even relatively flat ground. Once back in the bush the track gets wider and easier to walk along as you near the car park again. Just before the end we deviated straight into the creek - just get wet feet rather than trying fruitlessly to rock hop along here - you will fall and embarrass yourself.  

Total time - a leisurely 3 hours return
Family friendly but a good level of fitness will make the trip more enjoyable.