Last Updated: 19th Nov 2023
Big Mt Peel
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 19th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 74 ?
Gnarl Factor: 89 ?
23.7km
1990m
1990m
1743m
Last Updated: 19th Nov 2023
Submitted by Tony Sharpe
Last Updated: 19th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 74 ?
Gnarl Factor: 89 ?
23.7km
1990m
1990m
1743m
Back country - remote
Out and Back
Mountainous
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Other
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +16.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -17.1%
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Not suitable
Slow
6:00
Moderate
4:00
Fast
If you've ever done Little Mt Peel you probably have entertained the idea of coming back one day and seeing how much farther it is to bag Big Mt Peel. Well, rest assured it's a lot further than most people think, but on a decent weather day its a great rewarding day on top of the ranges of the Canterbury Foothills, with impressive views pretty much all day. But take water. Lots of water!
Having parked up begin with the well marked and steady climb up the Little Mt Peel track. The first bit takes you up through the vegetation zones from beech to scrub to tussock and on to a lovely ridgeline. As you near the top ridge of Little Mt Peel the route steepens and you'll pick up a few boardwalks/ stairs and eventually the last bit of ridge to the Tristram Harper Memorial Hut and the summit of Little Mt Peel (1311m). Take a breather here and enjoy the views, fuel up and get ready for a long lumpy ridgeline ascent across Middle Mt Peel (1583m) and then eventually Big Mt Peel (1743m).
Leaving the Tristram Harper Memorial hut gain the ridgeline and find your way up the untracked higher ground, over some lumps and bumps and onto the biggish grunt up to Middle Mt Peel. There is the odd waratah and cairn about and sketchy trail, but the going is generally across country. Generally you'll find the 'track' exists best on the more defined parts of ridge, but occasionally there is a temptation to sidle the high points. Take gaiters fro the 'spaniard' plants
The last stretch up Big Mt Peel is easy enough to follow, most choices lead to the top where you'll find a cellphone tower and some rocky outcrops for a well earned summit photo.
From here its simple- turn around and retrace your steps. The odd uphill on the way back can sap flagging leg muscles, this is a pretty long day out but it's a highly rewarding one. There is the choice of an alternate descent from Little Mt Peel South Ridge Track if you wish - slightly more technical than the main track down Deer Spur that you came up on.
As you drive out across the plains you'll forever look at that long long ridge and reflect on a job well done.
This trail includes the peaks Little Mount Peel/Huatekerekere and Middle Mt Peel.
Tristram Harper Memorial Shelter and the long long ridgeline that makes up the Mt Peel Range.
Not aware of public transport, but there's some parking around the trailhead and down at Peel Forest
25 km
24 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Be well equipped with map/ compass/ GPS in the event of a weather change. The track beyond Little Mt Peel is route only and could be easily lost in fog.
Patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Gaiters
There is a tank at the hut but it dries up pretty fast in summer. Take as much water as you can, on a hot day you will need lots of the stuff!
Snow in winter will slow you down, best done in the other seasons where you get long daylight hours.
Dehyrdration, routefinding, weather changes are sudden here too. Don't skimp on your gear choices.
Panthers Rock in Mayfield, or anything in Geraldine depending on which way you are going.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
Either route up to Little Mt Peel qualifies but you still need to make it all the way to its Big Brother!
You and Big Mt Peel
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I popped up here for the second time on Boxing Day 2022 in cloudy but dry conditions. It’s a solid push up to the tree line circa 800m before softening out, only slightly. Can be a mud fest early on. Once you pass the hut, carry on the ridge and scoot down the drip and keep heading up and you can’t go wrong. Shuffling along the ridgeline from 1500m to the top is the prize. If the clouds give way you get great views from the top. 5/5 would trade again.
July 17, 2023
Loved it! A bit muddy after recent snowfall which left some soft white patches around. Stunning weather. I don't agree with the "not suitable" ranking for slow runners I did it in 7 hours without running a single km.
April 1, 2023
Loved it! Started out at 7.30am, made it to Little Mt Peel for brekkie at 9, and then onto Big Mt Peel. The lower track below the bush line can be quite muddy, but it clears higher up, and I'd recommend some kind of leg coverings from Little Mt Peel - Mid Mt Peel as the Dracophyllum can be quite thick & scratchy in places. Route is fairly straight forward, try to keep on the ridgeline where possible. Multiple sheep tracks want to lure you to sidle, but I think easier to stay close-ish to top. Came across a while mob of sheep just below Big Mt Peel, which I thought was slightly odd!! Can be quite cold and windy up top so take warm clothes even on a sunny day. A great day out, would highly recommend!
April 11, 2022
What an incredible adventure.... I love it how you talk to people and they say yip I am going to the top! Oh you are doing Big too... no no just Little Mt Peel.... that ain't the top my friend! Take plenty of water and make sure you don't sidle around Middle Mt Peel... those fake peaks haha!
September 20, 2021
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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