Hogs Back Track (Easy Up Track and Descent Track)
Alerts
Avalanche NZ
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This walking and biking track leads from Castle Hill Village to Texas Flat / Mt Cheeseman Road.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
There are two tracks accessing the Hogs Back from Thomas Bush carpark. The normal return track (Hogs Back Track) starts near the end of the carpark. It is recommended that walkers and cyclists should take the “Easy Up Track” to access the Hogs Back track.
From the Thomas Bush carpark, walk about 80 m along the Water Intake Road, passing the Hogs Back track entrance sign. The Easy Up track climbs through beech forest onto the Long Spur ridgeline, meeting the Hogs Back track after 2.8 km (45 min).
After following the ridgeline, the track then descends across the open flats below Long Spur to the beech forest at Long Creek. A ride through the beech forest is followed by a short climb up the true right of Waterfall Creek. After crossing Waterfall Creek, the track then traverses across to the western side of the Hogs Back ridge before dropping down to Texas Flat (via Ernie's Mistake).
The return ride back to Castle Hill Village can be made either by taking the reverse track route (using the Hogs Back descent track, rather than the Easy Up Track) or by riding 4.7 km down the Cheeseman Skifield access road to SH73 and then 2.3 km along SH73 back to Castle Hill (note this section of SH73 includes a 90 m climb).
This track can also be linked directly with Dracophyllum Flat Track.
Getting there
You can start this track from Water Intake Road, reached by walking from Thomas Bush car park. The carpark is located about 200 m beyond the end of the Castle Hill village (houses) on Castle Hill Drive.
Know before you go
- No horses
- No motorbikes
- No fires
Be ready for alpine weather
This is an alpine area and people should be prepared for extremes of weather. Always check the forecast before you go. Weather forecasts for Mt Cheeseman and Canterbury High Country
Carry warm layers, a waterproof raincoat and sun protection. Find packing lists here.
Shared use area
This track is used by walkers and mountain bikers – be respectful of other users. Mountain bikers should go slow and be ready to encounter walkers.
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track