Helicopter Hill, Canterbury, New Zealand

HELICOPTER HILL

Mid Canterbury

Location:
Mid Canterbury. 
Find ‘Craigieburn Forest Park’ on Google Maps, drive there, about 90min from Christchurch.
You can also access these trails from the Broken River side, but I prefer this spot.

Time:
2.15 hours return.
1.5 hours up, 45min down.

Difficulty.
Easy

Dogs:
On-leash only.

Great easy walk, lots of Beech forest and great views without too much stress.

I wanted to turn this into a loop, to make it a bit more of a trip, so parked at the exit to ‘Sidle 73’ on the Craigieburn Valley side. Started by walking up the Craigieburn Access Road, to the start of the ‘Lyndon Saddle’ track, walked up to the saddle, note that this is a dual use track, just something to keep in mind. Once you get to the saddle it’s a short push up to the top (no bikes allowed past the saddle though).

On the way down, we took the ‘Mistletoe’ Track, (another no-bikes track) down to the Broken River Campsite, where we hooked on to Sidle 73 back to the vehicle, for a nice hot chocolate.

No reception for cell in most of this area, ski area in winter, popular MTB destination in summer.
Multiple other trails for walking in this area

Plenty of spots for the dog to have a drink.

Lots of Beech forest on the way up and down, then it opens up towards the top of the Lyndon Saddle Track.

Nearly at the top.

“Proper Camera” snaps time. Moonrise.

Proud to be on top of yet another peak.

Panorama facing Craigieburn, Cheeseman, Broken River.

Pano in the opposite direction.

On the way down again now, and into the dark side of the mountain.

Plenty of lovely Beech forest.

Lush and green towards the bottom. The walk out onto Sidle 73 was frosty by the time we got there.

Warm up with a hot drink, and then head home.