Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Canterbury > Christchurch > Witch Hill Reserve
Witch Hill Reserve
- Location
- Summit Road – Car parking is available at lookout point just south of reserve and on gravel area at east end of reserve
- Description
Known to the Maori as 'Te-Opoko-O-Kuri' (the Dog's Head), the canine profile is quite recognisable from the Harbour. It was first named Witch Hill (possibly because of the Maori 'Tapu' on it) in 1849 by the survey team aboard H.M.S. Acheron, under the command of Captain Stokes.
A stone seat on the summit has been erected in memory of the Maori from the Rapaki Pa and the Canterbury men who lost their lives in the First World War.Lying just outside reserve's southern boundary is the very prominent Rapaki Rock, regularly used for climbing by local recreationists, and by the police, army, air force, YMCA and other groups.
Apart from the bluffs and other rock formations, reserve is predominantly grassland, comprised of silver tussock and a mix of other exotic grasses and herbs.
The Crater Rim Walkway – Central Section (Bridle Path to the Sign of the Kiwi) passes through this reserve. The track sidles on the city side of Witch Hill and Rapaki Rock before climbing up to Mt Vernon and continuing down to the car park on the Summit Road at the top of Huntsbury Track. The walkway continues west to Scott Reserve. Mitchells Track is the final section of the Crater Rim Walkway through Sugarloaf Reserve, to the Sign of the Kiwi.
Refer below website for detailed map.
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Carpark
- Dogs Allowed
- Historical
- Lookouts
- Plant Life
- Tramping
- Source
- www.ccc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk