Sarah Tramps NZ

Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley: Winter Alpine Tramping Guides | Craigieburn

Craigieburn Forest Park offers some of Canterbury’s finest winter alpine day trips. If you want the joys of snow and strapping on crampons to summit peaks over 2,000 meters—all while returning to a hot shower and a warm bed by nightfall—these two classic routes climbing up Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley are for you. 

While these peaks are accessible year-round, they transform into more serious trips during the winter and spring months, requiring alpine gear and solid navigation skills.

Another perfect day trip in the Craigieburn Range is the Nervous Knob – Hamilton Peak Loop; or the multi-day Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track

Or in the nearby Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park: Benmore-Annavale-Sugarloaf Summit Loop & Foggy Peak, Castle Hill Peak & The Gap

And in Arthur’s Pass, the Poulter Valley-Binser Saddle Loop.

Three trampers wearing climbing helmets and holding ice axes stand on the summit of Mt Izard in Craigieburn Forest Park in winter looking out towards Lake Coleridge
On the summit of Mt Izard (2,019m)

1. Mt Izard (2,019m) Route Guide

Mt Izard is a fantastic introduction to alpine trips in the Craigieburn Range. As the primary route follows a prominent ridgeline, it naturally minimizes exposure to complex avalanche terrain, though standard avalanche awareness and risk assessment is still vital

  • Time: 5 – 7 hours
  • Distance: 12.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 1,403 m
  • Route Type: Out and back. Could be made a loop by traversing on the ridge over to Mt Cloudsley & looping back on Hogs Back track.
  • Skill: Advanced/experienced due to off-track route finding
  • Parking: Plenty of carparking at Texas Flat carpark, 4.7km up Mt Cheeseman Skifield Road on SH73
A topographic route map detailing the alpine approach branching off the Hogs Back Track at Waterfall Creek and climbing the spur to Mt Izard in Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury.
Two hikers ascending a steep rocky scree ridge on the Mt Izard route in Craigieburn Forest Park, looking out over the broad Canterbury high country and distant snow-capped Torlesse Range in the background
Climbing up the scree on Mt Izard with the Torlesse Range in the background

Step-by-Step Route

  • The Approach: Follow the marked Hogs Back Track as it winds up and around toward Waterfall Creek.
  • The Ascent: Upon reaching Waterfall Creek, leave the marked trail. Head south-west to gain the main spur leading directly up to the summit of Mt Izard (2,019m).
Tussock and rocky scree slopes in the foreground looking across to steep, snow-covered faces of Mt Cheeseman in Craigieburn Forest Park (Canterbury) while climbing up Mt Izard
Looking across to Mt Cheeseman while climbing up Mt Izard
A tramper scrambling up a steep, rocky section on the route on the unmarked approach to Mt Izard, Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury
Rocky outcrop on the climb up Mt Izard

2. Mt Cloudsley (2,107m) Route Guide

Mt Cloudsley delivers a classic Canterbury scree experience in summer, but in winter, it becomes a superb alpine target with sprawling, panoramic rewards at the top: the headwaters of the Wilberforce and Rakaia Rivers; Lake Coleridge; and across to the Torlesse Range.

  • Time: 5 – 7 hours
  • Distance: 12.6 km
  • Elevation Gain: 1,412 m
  • Route Type: Out and back. Could be made a loop by traversing on the ridge over to Mt Izard & looping back on Hogs Back track.
  • Skill: Advanced/experienced due to off-track route finding
  • Parking: Plenty of carparking at Thomas Bush carpark, 200m beyond the edge of Castle Hill village on Castle Hill Drive
A topographic route map showing the tramping track from Castle Hill Drive along the Hogs Back Track and up Long Spur to the summit of Mt Cloudsley, Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury
A tramper standing on a snow-covered Long Spur route ascending toward the summit of Mt Cloudsley in the Craigieburn Range under a clear blue sky, Canterbury
Matt near the summit of Mt Cloudsley
Panoramic view of the snow-capped Torlesse Range and Castle Hill basin taken from the upper slopes of Mount Cloudsley, Craigieburn Forest park, Canterbury
View back towards the Torlesse Range from Long Spur

Step-by-Step Route

  • The Approach: Follow the Easy Up & Hogs Back Tracks as it climbs steadily through the native beech forest.
  • The Ascent: As you near the edge of the forest, leave the marked track and head west to gain Long Spur. There is a reasonable foot trail to follow. From the 1,500m contour line upward, the terrain transitions into steeper scree and rocky outcrops (or snow slopes in winter). Follow the ridge line directly to the expansive Mt Cloudsley summit plateau.
Trampers navigating a steep, snow-covered alpine slope with expansive valley views and across to the Torlesse Range in Craigieburn Forest Park during Canterbury winter.
Descending off Mt Cloudsley

Gear, Navigation, and Safety

As this route leaves the marked DoC trails and enters an exposed alpine environment, a bit of extra preparation is essential for a safe and successful trip.

Navigation & Route Finding

Off-Track Section: While the Hogs Back Track is clear and well-marked, the route up Mt Izard & Cloudsley are not marked. Confidence navigating and assessing terrain is essential, even more so in winter and spring when avalanches are a major hazard. 
Required Maps: You should be confident navigating with a map and compass or a reliable GPS. Carry the NZTopo50 map BW20 Lake Coleridge & BW21 Springfield for this section of the Craigieburn Range. 
Visibility: Avoid this ridge in low cloud/visibility as it can make navigation challenging.

Looking up a wide tussock and scree spur called Long Spur with patches of winter snow leading toward the alpine zone of Mount Cloudsley in Carigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury
Long Spur is named long for a reason…..

Essential Gear

Scree Protection: Gaiters are highly recommended due to the scree.
Wind Layers: The summits of both Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley are completely exposed to Canterbury’s notorious nor’westers. Pack a high-quality windproof jacket, a beanie, and gloves, even if it feels warm at the car park. The weather can change very quickly and there is no shelter on the ridgeline. Particularly in winter, it is a good idea to take a bothy bag shelter to give yourself shelter from the elements during a break or in case of an injury
PLB Reminder: Always carry a registered Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and leave your intentions with a trusted emergency contact.
Alpine Gear: In winter-spring, alpine gear (ice-axe, crampons & helmet) are usually required and a knowledge of how to safely use these.  

Safety & Seasonal Considerations

  • Best Time to Go: This loop is best tackled from summer to early autumn when the ridges should be mostly clear of snow for those with less experience. For those with sufficient alpine experience, these are great winter alpine day trips. 
  • Winter & Spring Avalanches: In the winter and spring months, the Craigieburn Range becomes avalanche terrain. While both these routes follow ridgelines and are therefore less hazardous for avalanches, do not attempt these routes when snow is present unless you have specific alpine avalanche training, an ice axe, crampons, and have checked the NZ Avalanche Advisory.
  • Wasps: If you are tramping between January and March, be aware that wasp numbers can be very high in the lower beech forest sections. Carry antihistamines
Looking along a rocky, snow-covered ridgeline toward Mt Cheeseman Peak in the Craigieburn Range, Canterbury.
View towards Mt Cheeseman from Mt Izard

Sarah Fisher

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