ONE OF NEW ZEALAND'S BEST VIEWS IN A SECLUDED LOCATION
14 AUGUST 2025
I have to start off by saying that Peak Hill absolutely is not a hill - it is the size of a small mountain... whoever named it as a hill needed glasses! It stands at 1,239m above sea level and has an elevation gain of over 600m, so it is quite the hike up to the summit!
This track is hands down one of the best hikes we have done in New Zealand! From the summit, you look down at Lake Coleridge, deep into the Southern Alps and across the braided Rakaia River and Wilberforce River. You also get an amazing view across the Canterbury Plains where there is loads of farm land and on a clear day, you can even see Mt Cook - New Zealand's highest and most famous mountain.
Let's get into why you should be adding this hike to your bucketlist!
This track is hands down one of the best hikes we have done in New Zealand! From the summit, you look down at Lake Coleridge, deep into the Southern Alps and across the braided Rakaia River and Wilberforce River. You also get an amazing view across the Canterbury Plains where there is loads of farm land and on a clear day, you can even see Mt Cook - New Zealand's highest and most famous mountain.
Let's get into why you should be adding this hike to your bucketlist!
What's in this guide
- Trail overview & what to expect on the hike
- How to get to the Peak Hill trailhead
- What to bring on the hike
- Tips for visiting Peak Hill
- Best time to hike the Peak Hill track
- Facilities & amenities
- Nearby Spots to Explore
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Trail Overview & What to Expect
Track Length: 5.6kms return
Return Time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 600m
Difficulty: Moderate
Peak Hill is tucked away in the Canterbury high country in the South Island and unless you're planning a trip in the high country, you most likely haven't heard of this place before. That's one of the reasons I love this spot - it's so secluded that it's not overrun with masses of tourists. It's a peaceful spot away from the chaos of big towns and cites.
As I mentioned before, Peak Hill has over a 600m elevation, so it is quite the hike! It takes most people 3 hours return and it is a there and back track but it did take us 5 hours because we stopped loads for views and the hike down was REALLY hard on my bad knees!
The track begins by crossing over flat farmland, where you may be greeted by curious cows - don't worry, they're usually friendly and will keep their distance. Once you cross over a stile, the elevation begins and this is where the real work begins! The track is well marked and well worn, so it's really easy to see where to go. The ground was hard and dry when we went, which made coming back down more difficult as it was almost 'slippery' and we skedaddled now and then and went down on our bums as much as we could - we watched others going down and they had zero issues at all.
Once we got up to the ridge, the view was absolutely breathtaking! We purposely chose a bluebird to do this track because if it was cloudy, it wouldn't have been worth it for us and we wanted to see every possible view after such an intense hike. We also made sure to hike the track on a day with low wind as it can get extremely windy on the ridge, to the point where it can become dangerous. The terrain on the ridge becomes a little rockier but is less of an elevation gain than the first part of the track which means your legs get a bit of a break before tackling the route to the summit. From the ridge, you get to see the whole of Lake Coleridge, out to Mt Cotton and the very unique mountains surrounding Ryton Station.
The climb to the summit is absolutely worth it to see the views you get to see BUT let me warn you - there were quite a few false summits on the way up (I think we counted about 5!) so JUST when you think you're about to reach the summit, you get to the top of the hill and see YET ANOTHER hill stretching way above you - this can be a bit mentally challenging if you're already quite tired from the hike.
When you finally get to the summit of Peak Hill, you feel like you're on top of the world. There aren't many places in New Zealand with such incredible views like the one from on top of Peak Hill. You have 360 degree views across Lake Coleridge, the Rakaia River, the Wilberforce River, the open high country farms across the Canterbury Plains and deep into the Southern Alps where the mountain peaks are covered in snow all year round. It truly is a magical place and most of the time you will have the summit to yourself which is a feeling like no other.
Return Time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 600m
Difficulty: Moderate
Peak Hill is tucked away in the Canterbury high country in the South Island and unless you're planning a trip in the high country, you most likely haven't heard of this place before. That's one of the reasons I love this spot - it's so secluded that it's not overrun with masses of tourists. It's a peaceful spot away from the chaos of big towns and cites.
As I mentioned before, Peak Hill has over a 600m elevation, so it is quite the hike! It takes most people 3 hours return and it is a there and back track but it did take us 5 hours because we stopped loads for views and the hike down was REALLY hard on my bad knees!
The track begins by crossing over flat farmland, where you may be greeted by curious cows - don't worry, they're usually friendly and will keep their distance. Once you cross over a stile, the elevation begins and this is where the real work begins! The track is well marked and well worn, so it's really easy to see where to go. The ground was hard and dry when we went, which made coming back down more difficult as it was almost 'slippery' and we skedaddled now and then and went down on our bums as much as we could - we watched others going down and they had zero issues at all.
Once we got up to the ridge, the view was absolutely breathtaking! We purposely chose a bluebird to do this track because if it was cloudy, it wouldn't have been worth it for us and we wanted to see every possible view after such an intense hike. We also made sure to hike the track on a day with low wind as it can get extremely windy on the ridge, to the point where it can become dangerous. The terrain on the ridge becomes a little rockier but is less of an elevation gain than the first part of the track which means your legs get a bit of a break before tackling the route to the summit. From the ridge, you get to see the whole of Lake Coleridge, out to Mt Cotton and the very unique mountains surrounding Ryton Station.
The climb to the summit is absolutely worth it to see the views you get to see BUT let me warn you - there were quite a few false summits on the way up (I think we counted about 5!) so JUST when you think you're about to reach the summit, you get to the top of the hill and see YET ANOTHER hill stretching way above you - this can be a bit mentally challenging if you're already quite tired from the hike.
When you finally get to the summit of Peak Hill, you feel like you're on top of the world. There aren't many places in New Zealand with such incredible views like the one from on top of Peak Hill. You have 360 degree views across Lake Coleridge, the Rakaia River, the Wilberforce River, the open high country farms across the Canterbury Plains and deep into the Southern Alps where the mountain peaks are covered in snow all year round. It truly is a magical place and most of the time you will have the summit to yourself which is a feeling like no other.
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How To Get To The Peak Hill Track
Peak Hill is located in the Canterbury high country, in the South Island of New Zealand. It's 15 minutes from Lake Coleridge Village, 40 minutes from Arthurs Pass and 1 hour and a half from Christchurch City.
The Peak Hill Track starts 15 minutes drive from Lake Coleridge Village. From the village, head past the Powerhouse lodge and continue up to the Lake Coleridge Intake Road where you will cross over some jutter bars (a cattle stop) - this road does say private land but you do have full access to drive on it. Follow the road until you come to an intersection and turn left onto Algidus Road and keep following this road until you see the DOC carpark on your right - you'll see a sign saying 'Access to Peak Hill Conservation Area'.
If you're coming from Arthurs Pass, turn onto Lyndon Road and keep following through the incredibly beautiful high country. This road eventually becomes Homestead Road, then you'll turn right onto Algidus Road. Keep following this road until you see the DOC carpark on your right.
Click here for the Google Maps link.
There is no parking cost here and enough room for plenty of cars. Many of the roads out to Peak Hill are gravel but 4WD is not needed.
The track is well sign posted and begins once you cross over stiles and farmland. Look for the orange triangles if you're in doubt!
The Peak Hill Track starts 15 minutes drive from Lake Coleridge Village. From the village, head past the Powerhouse lodge and continue up to the Lake Coleridge Intake Road where you will cross over some jutter bars (a cattle stop) - this road does say private land but you do have full access to drive on it. Follow the road until you come to an intersection and turn left onto Algidus Road and keep following this road until you see the DOC carpark on your right - you'll see a sign saying 'Access to Peak Hill Conservation Area'.
If you're coming from Arthurs Pass, turn onto Lyndon Road and keep following through the incredibly beautiful high country. This road eventually becomes Homestead Road, then you'll turn right onto Algidus Road. Keep following this road until you see the DOC carpark on your right.
Click here for the Google Maps link.
There is no parking cost here and enough room for plenty of cars. Many of the roads out to Peak Hill are gravel but 4WD is not needed.
The track is well sign posted and begins once you cross over stiles and farmland. Look for the orange triangles if you're in doubt!
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What To Bring On The Hike
Peak Hill may only be a half day hike but the weather around Lake Coleridge can change fast, so being prepared makes all the difference!
Clothing
Footwear
Water & Snacks
Sun Protection
Extras
Winter
Clothing
- Dress in layers so you can adjust as you warm up on the climb and cool down at the summit. We went on a reasonably warm day but got cool pretty quickly once we stopped along the ridgeline to eat lunch.
- Pack a windproof layer as it can be gusty at the top, even on sunny days.
Footwear
- Wear sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip as the track is steep in places and can be slippery after rain and even slippery on dry days with the loose ground.
Water & Snacks
- Bring plenty of water because there’s nowhere to refill on the track - no streams and no waiter appearing when you need him the most.
- It is a longer hike so I always recommend taking high energy snacks or a yummy lunch. We took home made focaccia sandwiches filled with roasted veges, pesto and hummus, as well as nuts, fruit and chocolate.
Sun Protection
- There’s no at all on this track shade, so a hat and sunglasses are always on my list. Sunscreen will definitely be needed in the warmer months, especially in summer where burn time is 5 minutes - no joke! We always use a natural sunscreen.
Extras
- A camera is a must - the 360° views of Lake Coleridge and the Southern Alps are incredible!!
- Trekking poles can help on the steep downhill, especially if your knees are bad... I wish I had taken some.
Winter
- In can snow on Peak Hill in winter and there can be icy conditions, so you may need to bring crampons or micro spikes as the upper section can be frozen and slippery.
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Tips For Visiting
- It’s best to stay on the track — going off trail not only damages the fragile alpine plants and increases erosion but the local vegetation will fight back. The Spaniard and Matagouri plants can give you a nasty surprise if you stray from the path.
- There’s no public transport to the trailhead so you’ll need your own vehicle.
- The track is fully exposed with no shade at all and the ridgeline can be quite windy. Don't do the track on a super windy day, it's not worth the struggle and it can be extremely dangerous.
- Cell phone coverage can be patchy through the high country, so download an offline map so you know where you're going if the internet cuts out.
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Best Time to Hike The Peak Hill Track
Peak Hill is accessible all year round but the experience changes with the seasons. We hiked it early autumn and it was not too hot and not too cold which was PERFECT (Goldilocks would have been proud). It can snow on Peak Hill in winter, making the track more difficult and a lot more challenging. I'd avoid doing this track in the middle of the day in summer - with no shade, the heat would be a killer so going early morning or later in the day is ideal.
I do recommend going on a cloudless day to get the maximum views you can as they really are out of this world!
I do recommend going on a cloudless day to get the maximum views you can as they really are out of this world!
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Facilities & Ameneties
- There are no toilets at the carpark, the nearest ones are at Lake Coleridge Village.
- There are no shops in Lake Coleridge Village, so you'll have to stock up for food and water at Metheven which is 50 minutes from the track.
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Final Thoughts
Peak Hill is one of those hikes that stays with you. It’s steep, challenging, and yes, there are a few false summits along the way, but the views from the ridge and summit make every step worth it - especially on a clear day! It's a view not many people get to experience and there aren't many places in New Zealand that you will get to see a view as amazing as this. Definitely one to do if you’re exploring Canterbury’s high country.
Nearby Spots to Explore
Peak Hill is in one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand so it's safe to say there are many more beautiful spots near the track to explore:
- Terrace Downs - a luxury resort between Lake Coleridge and Rakaia that does the most delicious food (and reasonably priced too!). We always stop in for lunch or coffee when we're in the area.
- Lake Coleridge Intake - this is a nice spot to relax by as it's generally very quite.
- Powerhouse Lodge - in summer, the lovely Alison runs a small cafe from the lodge with delicious home made baking and equally as delicious tea and coffee.
- Rakaia Gorge - head on down to the river to skip stones, go on a jet boat ride, take photos at the lookouts or do the Rakaia Gorge Walkway - a 10.4km track that takes 3 - 4 hours return.
- Lake Ida Track - a breathtaking track through the high country, on the other side of Lake Coleridge. It's a 40 minute drive and takes around 2 hours to hike to Lake Ida and back.
Gallery of the Peak Hill Track
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
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We’ve got you covered with everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. From fully customized itineraries tailored to your interests and group, to expert consultations, detailed maps and insider travel guides — our services take the stress out of planning so you can focus on enjoying your journey. Because we have such an in depth knowledge of travelling New Zealand (full time since 2022!) we're able to offer so much insight into what makes New Zealand so special and where go, beyond the guide books.
Whether you’re exploring solo, traveling with family, or adventuring with friends, we provide personalized support and local knowledge every step of the way. Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect routes, and unlock the best experiences New Zealand has to offer, all in one place.
Ready to start planning your perfect New Zealand adventure?
Click here to explore our services and get started!
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