Where shall we go?
Welcome to Christchurch. There are over 800 routes within half an hour of the city on the volcanic crags of the Port Hills. A full range of grades is represented, and a good mix of trad and sport routes. There is somewhere to climb in nearly all weathers, though a cold wet southerly kills most and you may want to head indoors to one of the two indoor climbing gyms. Most crags have a drive of only 20 minutes plus a short walk of 5-15. The summary
below (in book order) may help you choose
“South Island Rock” by Lindsay Main & Tim Wethey A comprehensive guide to all the best rock climbing crags in the South Island.
Region |
Area |
Crag |
Summary |
Route number, %age that are worthwhile |
Grade range. Route length |
Trad/sport. Height. |
Aspect, best times |
Accessibility (drive from city/walk) |
Page |
Port Hills |
|
|
Christchurch's local area. All volcanic cliffs. |
500, 50% |
Full range. Easiest crag Rapaki Rock, hardest crag The Cave. Mostly 8 - 15m. |
Good mix. |
Always somewhere. Cold wet southerly kills most |
Most 20, 10 |
110 |
|
|
Farm Park |
Overlooking Lyttelton harbour |
60, 30% |
18-23. 8m high |
Mostly sport, a few trad. |
South-facing. Best: hot summer days. Avoid: depths of winter |
20, 10 |
113 |
|
|
Jane Fonda Workout Wall |
Overlooking Lyttelton harbour. Long, high quality, vertical but strenuous routes |
25, 80% |
19 - 24. High quality routes. About 2 routes at each grade. 15m. |
Nearly all sport |
South-facing. Best: hot summer days. Avoid: cold southerly, depths of winter or after wet weather |
20,15 |
126 |
|
|
Punk Rock |
Later routes well-equipped for educational groups |
40, 50% |
16 - 23. 10m. |
Mostly sport, a few trad. |
East-facing. Best: cold mornings, hot afternoons |
10,10 |
130 |
|
|
The Cave |
NZ's greatest concentration of hard testpieces |
22, 70% |
25 - 32. 10m |
Sport |
Can seep after heavy rain. |
10/10 |
135 |
|
|
Britten Crags |
Christchurch's best sport area. Big selection of bolted routes. |
300, 65% |
15-26. 8m. |
Sport |
West-facing. Can bake after midday on a hot day. |
15, 10 |
140 |
|
|
Albert Tce |
Good small novice cliff — short, well-bolted, very accessible |
20, 50% |
13-18, a few harder. 6m |
Sport |
All weather |
5, 5 |
165 |
|
|
Castle Rock |
Christchurch' best trad. cliff |
250, 60% |
12-26. 8 - 15m. |
Nearly all trad. |
West and east aspects. OK except in rain or cold southerly. |
20, 5 |
169 |
Climbing gyms The Roxx Climbing Center Corner Byron Street & Waltham Road
YMCA Corner Hereford Street & Rolletson Ave