“On a Mish” #436 Much Easier Than Last Time. Saddle Hill (841m). 20.6.2025. A while back my father and I visited my uncle’s farm in Wainui to hike the top fence-line and check for any holes where animals could escape. The trek was tough with bush, scrub, and steepness doing everything possible to slow our uphill progress. Eventually (with a few scratches and scrapes) we made it to the top of Saddle Hill and then back down again to the farm after successfully following the fence-line. Recently I returned to the area with my sister’s whanau, and it was on this mish that I found out that following the ‘Saddle Hill Track’ is much easier than the last time I was here…
There haven’t been too many times post injury that something has been easier the second time around. Most hikes have been hard due to me losing all the fitness I had built up over the years, and of course the constant grind of the damaged nerves in my back. However, after fighting my way up a fence line with my father just east of the peak, I returned with my sister’s whanau to tackle the track to the top of Saddle Hill.
The day was sunny with a wind that cut through you like the first slice of a cake fresh out of the oven. We parked up at the start of the track on the remote Bossu Road which weaves its way around the southwest region of Banks Peninsula. The views from the road are spectacular, and if you are not in a mood for hiking, the drive is an excellent way of getting views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, as well as the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean.
A well-formed track took us through an old stock yard, and then we wandered towards the up ridges of Saddle Hill. Beffie (9) took the lead, and while Benji (14) didn’t seem too keen on a walk at first but once we got going, he got more into it and started to enjoy himself. As we gained height the views increased, each step was rewarded with more of Aotearoa to look at.
The southerly wind was at our backs on the way up and this acted as a pushing force to keep us going in the right direction. The wind did send chills directly to my broken bits, but the scenery and sight of the summit was enough motivation to push on through the pain.
Near the summit I could see down into Wainui and Akaroa Harbour, and the way I had come up with my father a few years back. There were sections that I remembered being tricky due to the thick scrub which lines the upper reaches of the mountain. It is safe to say that the track is a much easier way to the top than bush bashing up a fence line!
We topped out and took in the vista we had hiked up to see from one of the highest points in all of Banks Peninsula. From Canterbury Bight to Pegasus Bay and all in between, we could see everything. We could see the patch work of farm paddocks which stretched across the Canterbury Plains all the way to the distant Southern Alps which glimmered in their fresh white winter coat. Canterbury really is an impressive place and looks very good when standing on the summit of Saddle Hill.
The return trip back along the ridge track went by without incident, but now the wind was blowing into our faces and this reminded us that it was winter. After returning to the car, we decided to make it a round trip by dropping down into Wainui for some lunch. And then after a feed we headed back around over the Hill Top Highway (75) to Little River, and then home.
Overall, the track was an awesome way to spend a couple of hours, and it was only a short drive from Christchurch. I highly recommend the mish and can say from experience that it was much easier than last time, and following the track is much, much better than bashing your way through the scrub while scrambling up the fence line!
