Camp Saddle track- a great day hike in Canterbury

The Camp Saddle track in the Craigieburn area doesn’t seem to be quite as popular but definitely one to get on your list! The most direct track is relatively easy but there are many options to make loops and add more of a challenge to your hike.

I was pleasantly surprised the first time Chris and I hiked Camp Saddle. We had an extra surprise of quite a bit of snow on the track which did make it a bit harder but I can imagine without that thigh-deep snow it would have been much easier going.

If it weren’t for the wind gusts picking up, we could have stayed at the saddle even longer going further up the ridge nearby. Also, if we had started earlier we could have traversed the tops to make a loop track. Needless to say, we’ll definitely be back to try out different routes.

Track details

1490 meters | 510 meter gain | 7 km return | 2.5-3 hours

My route

As I mentioned above there are a few ways to get to Camp saddle. I took the most direct route which is from the Broken River Skifield road. I walked to the saddle and then came back on the same path. About half of the track was on a 4WD track through the trees and the other half in the open.

The Ascent

Since part of the Broken River skifield road is closed for most of the year, you have to walk up the road to get to the start of the Camp Saddle track. There is a locked gate on the road and a few spots to park your car. When you are traveling up the skifield road, you will come to a tee where you can turn left to the Environmental Education center or right to continue up the road. Make sure you go right to continue up the road and that will lead you to the gate.

It’s not a very long walk to get to the start of the track. It was only about 15 minutes or so and although you’re going uphill, it wasn’t very steep. I prepared to be puffed before getting to the track but it was much easier than I had thought. It’s really easy to see the trailhead– you won’t be able to miss it. There is a big Broken River skifield sign and also a DOC sign at the start.

The ascent up the route we took was fairly gentle. The first half of the track was a 4WD path covered in leaf litter. The track through the bush goes around a spur with a few switchbacks before getting into the open of tussocks and scree.

There are both poles and triangle markers on the path so it’s very easy to follow. There are no track junctions along the track getting to the saddle so you really shouldn’t get lost. Luckily we could still see the markers through the snow and could make a path up.

Once out in the open, the path continues to climb gently. Although it was covered in snow, when it’s not, a good portion of the path is along a scree face dotted with tussocks. I don’t believe the track is super narrow but if heights or looking down a steep scree face makes you a little nervous just be aware that the track does cross that. I’d say the steepest part is the last 10 minutes or so up to the saddle.

Summit views of Camp Saddle

The views at the saddle were awesome and I have to say they definitely had an extra something special with all the snow. We could see down to the Craigieburn Valley Ski Club over to Hamilton Peak and the Craigieburn Range. Considering we weren’t actually that high you can see a lot from the saddle!

We went up the ridge to the northeast side of the track up to 1550 meters which gave even better views of the surroundings. Chris went even further and said it was pretty awesome but with the wind turned back.

The descent

The descent was again really straightforward and nice and easy to come down. Much easier going down in the snow than coming up. It was a little bit slippery in the trees with some snow patches and wet leaf litter. I would imagine that it could get a bit slick in there after a rainfall.

Alternative routes

There are many routes you can take to get up to Camp Saddle. There are parts of those routes that are unmarked and some ways are significantly harder than others.

Craigieburn Valley track to Camp Saddle

Starting at the Craigieburn Valley skifield carpark, continue on the Craigieburn Edge track. This track goes through Beech forest before coming out onto a tussock and scree slope. Camp Saddle can easily be seen from here. The route is not marked but you essentially just go up. It can be a bit of a scramble at times going up scree so it’s certainly easier going down.

You can make this an up and back track or get a bit creative making it a loop by going along the ridge, heading down to Lyndon saddle and following the Edge track back to the carpark. You could also make it a point to point track dropping a car at the Broken River Skifield road.

Camp saddle to Lyndon Saddle

It’s easier to start on the Camp saddle track from the Broken River skifield road, traverse across the tops and descend down to Lyndon Saddle. From there you can take the Luge track and walk back up the skifield road back to your car. Much of the track getting to Lyndon saddle is on scree slopes so going up would be significantly harder.

The track from Camp Saddle to Lyndon Saddle isn’t marked. There is a bit of a track made as you come off the ridge and descent down to Lyndon Saddle that I’ve read is highly recommended to follow especially if you’re going up.

Both alternative tracks take approximately 4-5 hours depending on which direction if you’re making a loop. The NZTopo maps are really good to get an idea for distances and elevation. Parts of these tracks are also shared with mountain bikers usually during spring and summertime so be aware when you’re walking of traffic on the track.

When to go

Camp Saddle is a great track to do almost year-round. I wouldn’t suggest going in the heart of winter when there is a lot of snow as there are parts of the track that are prone to avalanches. The photos taken were taken mid-May, about a week after a snowfall and the avalanche risk was low.

Like on most open tracks I wouldn’t suggest going on a windy day either. It’s not too pleasant at the top with big gusts and if you’re up there when there is some snow, it can get quite cold, your tracks can fill in and the avalanche risk increases.

what to pack

It depends on what time of year that you go as to what clothing you’ll need. Early winter, although not too terribly cold outside I made sure to bring extra layers. Even in summer, I always bring a layer whether it’s a windbreaker or a fleece.

This is what was in my pack (minus my camera gear)

how to get there

The Craigieburn picnic area is off of State Highway 73 towards Arthurs Pass (if coming from Christchurch). There is a signposted for the turn-off. The Broken River Skifield road continues through the picnic area. Google maps comes up with Camp Saddle track! Gates are locked outside of ski season.

Other hikes in the area

Foggy Peak

Trig M