Mt Somers easy tramping tracks
Great Walk/Easier tramping track
Getting there
Starting points for Mt Somers Track are either from Staveley or Mt Somers township.
Staveley – turn off Inland Scenic Route 72 at Staveley and follow the road to the Sharplin Falls car park, which has a shelter, toilets and an information panel.
Mt Somers township – from the township, follow Ashburton Gorge Road for approximately 10 km before turning right onto Jig Road which will take you to the Woolshed Creek picnic area. Here you will find a large grassy, sheltered picnic area with toilets and information.
About the area
Mt Somers in mid-Canterbury features rugged bush, open sub-alpine tussock lands, historic coalmines, impressive volcanic formations and deep canyons.
Description
Miners Track to Woolshed Creek Hut
Time: 3 hr
Distance: 5 km
This track follows, in part, the line the miners took to the old Blackburn Mine. The track, if accessed via Woolshed Creek picnic area, climbs steeply along the hand-built jig that used to transport coal from the Blackburn Mine to the railway wagons waiting below. Beyond this the track rises up to the high point (trig R, 934 m) with superb views of the surrounding country, before descending to Woolshed Creek Hut.
Sidewinder Track
Time: 45 min
Distance: 1 km
This steep hill track begins with a short walk through a small pocket of silver beech/tawhai to escape the fires that swept through the Ashburton Gorge. Sidewinder Track then climbs steeply up to and through the tailings of the old Blackburn Mine where it links with Miners Track to provide either a return trip back to the Woolshed Creek car park or a chance to continue on to Woolshed Creek Hut.
The Mt Somers Track (northern section)
Sharplin Falls carpark - Pinnacles Hut
Time: 3 - 4 hr
Distance: 5.2 km
From the Sharplin Falls carpark follow the track over the bridge and through beech forest to Duke Knob (739 m). From Duke Knob the track follows Bowyers Stream eventually crossing to the true right bank and on up to Pinnacles Hut.
Pinnacles Hut - Woolshed Creek Hut
Time: 3 hr
Distance: 6.2km
Pinnacles Hut is named after the rock formations on the northern face of Mt Somers, formed by the cooling of very hot sticky lava flows some 90 million years ago.
From the hut follow the markers through tussock and sub-alpine scrub up to Mt Somers saddle (1170 m). It is a steady climb to the saddle, from which views of the Taylor and Old Man ranges can be seen.
On the descent towards Morgan Stream a sign indicates a short side-trip to view some interesting boulder features referred to as 'caves'.
Returning to the main track, follow the markers across Morgan Stream on to Woolshed Creek Hut.
Places to stay
This is a serviced 19-bunk hut in the Raukapuka area.
This is a serviced twenty six bunk hut in the Mt Somers Conservation Area.
Huts and hut tickets
There are two huts on the Mount Somers Walkway. Both have mattresses and running water. Trampers need to carry their own cookers. Back country hut tickets should be bought in advance from Department of Conservation offices or the Staveley or Mount Somers stores.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a Great Walk/Easy tramping track:
- Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required
- Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged
- Light tramping/hiking boots required
back to top