Mt Somers tramping tracks
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
Mt Somers Track (northern section)
Woolshed Creek Hut - Rhyolite Ridge Track junction
Time: 2 hr
Distance: 4.6km
Via Mt Somers Track - south section.
The route takes in dynamic scenery with regenerating mountain beech/tawhairauriki forest within a vaulted landscape of waterfalls, deep, icy pools and rocky tors. From the hut the route climbs some 500 metres to a local feature known as the Bus Stop Overhang. From here the track crosses the western face of Mt Somers linking to Rhyolite Ridge Track.
Mt Somers Track (south face)
Rhyolite Ridge Track junction - Mt Somers Summit Track junction
Time: 3 hr 30 min
Distance: 6 km
Passing around the southern face of Mt Somers through a mix of open grassland and forested catchments, this section of track eventually rises to its highest point (1080m) at the junction of the Mt Somers Summit Track. Acland Shelter provides welcome shelter and rest after about 4 km (1 hour 30 min) from the junction.
Mt Somers Summit Track junction - Sharplin Falls car park
Time: 2 hr 30 min
Distance: 2.7km
The final steep downhill connection is through regenerating forest areas but is open enough to continue to provide interesting views to the east.
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.
Acland Shelter provides a rest point but is not to be used for overnight stays.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
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