Foggy and Castle Hill Peaks

The climbing starts as soon as you leave the car park area at the top of Porters Pass. Initially, there are a few orange-topped warratahs to guide you, but they run out almost straight away. There's still enough of a trail to follow - it splits and rejoins and splits again, but you can't really get it wrong - you're just heading up, up, up!

Soon, the grasses and shrubs give way to scree and rock. Don't feel bad about stopping often to catch your breath, these are good opportunities to enjoy the views unfolding behind you. Eventually, you reach the large rock cairn at Foggy Peak and can see the lovely broad ridge you'll follow around towards Castle Hill Peak.

Carry on over the top of Foggy Peak and enjoy a short dash through the scree to a small saddle on the northern side, before climbing some more. Continue along the ridge line - faint tracks appear then disappear, but you can just make your own way along the top. About 5km in, the ridge narrows a bit for the climb up to Castle Hill Peak but it's all scree, no scrambling required.

Tag the trig and grab a bite to eat. When you've had your fill of the views, return the way you came. Enjoy the chance to open up and stretch the legs, especially over the section back to Foggy Peak. From there, the descent can be a little slippery on the gravel, but all good fun.

It is possible to carry on from Castle Hill Peak.... if you're after more and have the time and skills/experience, perhaps check out the Torlesse Traverse route.