Mount Haig

Route Description for Mount Haig

The scramble to Mount Haig is glorious, though don’t be surprised if you have the entire mountain to yourself, as the crowds don’t realize how great the Castle area is.

This is a challenging route, with some exposed scrambling and route finding. This is not a beginner route.

From the trailhead the initial ascent is quite steep, but after a few hundred meters turns to a gentle but steady climb towards Haig Lake. As you near Haig Lake, turn off the trail and angle towards the Haig-Gravenstafel col. This is quite steep terrain so be prepared for side-hilling

Near the col, above a set of crumbling cliff bands, there is a faint and intermittent trail that will take you to the col, although in many places some side-hilling is still required.

The cliff-bands will require careful (mostly simple) route-finding, and with the assistance of a few bits of trail, they are a scramble at the upper end of easy or lower end of moderate. The terrain is steep enough in spots that it feels quite exposed, which can be mentally daunting if you are not comfortable scrambling.

At the top of the cliff bands is a wonderful grassy plateau that gradually transitions to rock and scree as it steepens en-route to the summit of Mount Haig. The scree here can be quite loose, but there is a faint sheep trail to the summit that can be helpful.

The view from the summit is wonderful, although on windy days you won’t want to linger too long. Pick your way back down the col to the trail.

Insider Hints for Mount Haig

• A dip in the lake is a great way to end a hot day!
• The scramble to Mount Haig is a challenging scramble and not suitable for those who don’t like exposure.
• The Castle area is notoriously windy, so be prepared for increased winds once you’re in the alpine.
• If you need a snack, the only nearby options are the T-Bar Pub at Castle Mountain Resort (open Friday to Sunday in summer) and the Beaver Mines General Store in Beaver Mines before heading home for the day.