Catherine's Peak

Catherine's Peak rises to 1,542 metres directly above the Newcastle military camp, and the way up is a steep concrete and dirt road built to serve the transmitter masts on the summit, which makes it a straightforward if lung-testing walk of about two hours. It is named after Catherine Long, said to have been the first woman to climb it in the eighteenth century. From the top, Kingston and the harbour are below on one side and the ridges run away on the other.

What you actually see

• The summit - a 1,542-metre high point with masts and a clear all-round view.
• The Kingston view - the city and harbour spread out below to the south.
• The Newcastle camp - the old British hill station parade ground at the start.
• The cloud forest - tree ferns and mist forest along the upper road.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and the clearest. Cloud closes the summit from late morning most days, so an early start matters. Rain makes the road slippery.

Honest expectations

The climb is on a service road rather than a trail, so it is a walk rather than a hike. Cloud blocks the view more often than not after mid-morning. There is no water on the route.

Nearby

Newcastle is at the trailhead, and Hollywell is further along the ridge road.