Avalanche Peak
- Distance
- 7.0 km
- Vertical gain
- 1,107m
- Duration
- 0d8h4m
Avalanche Peak is an amazingly accessible mountain about two hours’ drive from Christchurch. There are two routes to access the summit: Avalanche Peak Track and Scotts Track. We ascended on Avalanche Peak Track and saved the more gentle Scotts Track for the descent. Both tracks are steep but well-marked and quite manageable.
If you’re tackling this trip, make sure to bring plenty of water and keep an ear out for kea.
![Catching a breath on the climb to the summit. Bealey River is visible at the base of the valley.](https://c123ac9d.albert-nz.pages.dev/_app/immutable/assets/DSC02018.C-cm6_ro.webp)
The two tracks meet just shy of the peak. This final section is a rocky ridge with stunning views all around.
![Dramatic vista from the summit. A hiker can be seen admiring the view. Far below, the highway winds up towards Arthur's Pass proper.](https://c123ac9d.albert-nz.pages.dev/_app/immutable/assets/DSC02037-Pano.CT-7UDPS.webp)
As we left the ridge and commenced our descent, I was distracted by a roving gang of young kea that landed nearby. Now I think of it, maybe they were the ones being distracted by me. It’s always hard to tell with these intelligent creatures.
![Curious juvenile kea that got dangerously close to my camera](https://c123ac9d.albert-nz.pages.dev/_app/immutable/assets/DSC02060.CHTCHDDq.webp)
![Water break on the cloudy descent. Devils Punchbowl Falls are just visible on the other side of the valley.](https://c123ac9d.albert-nz.pages.dev/_app/immutable/assets/DSC02070.BD7K0JV6.webp)