A Guide to Mt Somers

Mt Somers (Te Kiekie) lies nestled in the scenic foothills of the Southern Alps and serves as the gateway to the stunning Hakatere Conservation Park. Interestingly, Mt Somers is an extinct volcano, and its volcanic origin shows in its fascinating geology. There are visible faultlines & cooling fractures—jagged pillars have been formed by the cooling of thick lava flows over 90 million years ago.

Much like its neighbours, Mt Thomas and Mt Oxford, it is a highly popular Canterbury day walk. It also offers brilliant opportunities for easy, front-country overnight tramping trips.

Whether you are looking for a rewarding day trip to the summit, a challenging long-distance loop, or a classic weekend tramp, Mt Somers area is the perfect place.

I had looked up at Mt Somers countless times—when passing by to tramp the Mt Potts Loop with Matt, driving to the start of our Cameron Hut and the Ashburton Glacier trip, or during our attempt to reach the Garden of Eden from the east up the Clyde River. With a day to spare after a tramp up the Poulter Valley with Matt, I decided it was finally time to see what this mountain was all about.

With slightly tired legs from my recent adventures, I knew this loop would be a beautifully slow, scenic trail run.

Topographic map showing the Mt Somers Summit route from Sharplin Falls carpark and over the summer and down via Te Kiekie route, to woolshed Creek Hut & Pinnacles Hut via the Mt Somers track, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury

Mt Somers Fast Facts

Location: Foothills of the Southern Alps, Canterbury (close to Staveley & Mt Somers Village)
Topo50 Map: BX 19 Hakatere & BX20 Methven
Track Difficulty: Variety of tracks ranging from easy to intermediate, but all are well marked
Terrain: Varies from tracks through beech forest, tussock and sub-alpine scrub through to steep, unformed routes above bushline.
Dogs: No

Distant view of Mount Somers southern face rising above dense native forest under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury — Looking up at the southern face of Mt Somers from the South Face Track

Mt Somers FAQ

Route information

How long does it take to climb to the summit of Mt Somers?

The Department of Conservation (DOC) time from the Sharplin Falls carpark to the summit is 3.5 hours one-way. This covers 5.7 km with 1,200 meters of climbing. From the summit, you can return the same way or complete a full summit loop back to the carpark via the Te Kiekie Route. The full loop takes about 10 hours total. A good resource on all the different tracks is here.
Here is the breakdown for the loop:
Sharplin Falls to Summit: 3.5 hours | 5.7 km
Summit to Mt Somers Saddle (Te Kiekie Route): 2 hours | 2.7 km
Mt Somers Saddle to Pinnacles Hut: 1 hour | 2.3 km
Pinnacles Hut to Sharplin Falls carpark: 3.5 hours | 5.8 km

Are there easier track options to get to Woolshed Creek Hut?

Yes! If you want an easier route, start from the Woolshed Creek Hut carpark at the end of Jig Road. From there, you have two main choices:
The Mt Somers Track (Miner’s Tramway): An easy walk with fantastic views that takes 2.5 to 3 hours (5.1 km).
The 4WD Track: The easiest walking option, though less scenic. This marked path starts off the Mt Somers Track, follows a fence line, and connects to a 4WD vehicle track that climbs and then descends right to the hut.

Is it possible to circumnavigate Mt Somers?

Yes. You can create a full circuit around the mountain by combining the Bus Stop Track, the South Face Track, and the main Mount Somers Track. This loop passes both Woolshed Creek Hut and Pinnacles Hut, starting and ending at the Sharplin Falls carpark.

Department of Conservation map showing all the different tracks around Mt Somers, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury — DoC Map showing all the different track around Mt Somers

safety information

How difficult is the climb to the Mt Somers Summit?

It is a challenging but manageable day walk for fit and experienced hikers. The trail is steep and unformed, especially once you join the Summit Track. While it is well-marked with orange markers; and snow poles above the bushline, low cloud can reduce visibility rapidly. This can make the track difficult to follow, so good navigation skills are required. Be aware that there is absolutely no shelter once you leave the South Face & Summit track junction.
📺 Planning Tip: The Mountain Safety Council has a fantastic safety video to help you prepare for this track.

When is the best time to climb Mt Somers?

Summer and autumn are the best seasons to climb. During winter and spring, the tracks can be covered in heavy snow. The south face of Mt Somers gets very little sunlight, making the snow hard and icy. Only those with alpine skills and gear should attempt the summit during these colder months.

Can you safely hike to the summit of Mt Somers in a day?

Yes, but you need to be capable of walking for 8 – 10 hours with a climb of over 1,200m. This requires a good level of fitness. You also need to be aware that after leaving the bushline there is shelter and the weather can change very quickly. Start early to allow plenty of daylight to complete the hike

Hut information

Do you need to book Woolshed Creek Hut or Pinnacles Hut?

Yes. Both Woolshed Creek Hut (26 bunks) and Pinnacles Hut (19 bunks) are serviced DOC huts that require booking in advance via the Department of Conservation website. If you have a Backcountry Hut Pass, you can use it here, but you must still make a booking online first. Both huts fill up quickly over summer, especially on weekends and during school holidays.

Can you drink the water at Pinnacles Hut?

You must boil or treat all water at Pinnacles Hut. The water source here has tested positive for giardia, a parasite that causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

Is Woolshed Creek Hut or Pinnacles Hut better?

This depends on what kind of hut environment you are wanting and your hiking experience.
Woolshed Creek Hut is more family friendly as there are much easier tracks to get there from Jig Road. The hut also has separate bunk rooms from the communal cooking area, plenty of camping area around it and plenty of areas to explore like the Woolshed Creek and nearby at Morgan Stream has the fascinating boulder features known as the water caves and swimming spots. It’s also much easier to walk out from this hut if the weather changes as there are no major creek crossings.
Pinnacles Hut is better for a more challenging tramp due to the track having plenty of tree roots and steep sections. However, it is not appropriate in bad weather as Pony & Bowyer Stream can become impassable. The hut is only one communal room and has less areas to camp around it. With the craggy formations above it, is arguable in a more dramatic location.

Panoramic view from the Mt Somers South Face Track looking down over the rolling green Canterbury Plains, Hakatere Conservation Area, Canterbury — The uphill grind on the South Face Track

Climbing the Mt Somers Summit Track

I started my journey from the Sharplin Falls carpark, immediately climbing on the well benched track Sharplin Falls Track before transitioning to the steeper South Face Track that climbed towards Hookey Knob. I quickly hit the Mt Somers Summit Track that still had a decent amount of snow—not surprising though given I was on the southern aspect of the mountain.

Fortunately, the snow was soft and patchy on the track, so I didn’t need to worry about micro-spikes. I even stopped to build a snowperson. It was the perfect excuse to give my legs a brief reprieve from the relentless upward grind.

A small, creative snowperson built on a patch of snow on the climb up the Mt Somers Summit track, Hakatere Conservation Area, Canterbury — Fun in the snow

Aside from the steepness, the track is very well-marked with snow poles. However, weather conditions here can change rapidly. Cloud cover can reduce visibility to zero during southerly fronts.

⚠️ Top Tip: In winter and spring, the south face of Mount Somers gets very little sunlight. This makes the snow hard and icy. An ice axe, crampons, and alpine experience are strictly required to safely reach the summit during these months.

Looking up the rugged, steep Mt Somers Summit Track toward a snow-covered alpine ridge with a DOC orange trail marker pole, Hakatere Conservation Area, Canterbury — Still climbing on the Mt Somers Summit Track

A steep, rocky ridge with patches of spring snow along the Mt Somers Summit Track under a cloudy blue sky, Hakatere Conservation Area, Canterbury — On the final climb on the Mt Somers Summit Track

Reaching the Summit (1,688m)

The summit sits at 1,688 meters and was well worth the 1,200m climb. I enjoyed stunning views of snow-capped mountains stretching in all directions and the vast Canterbury Plains below. I particularly enjoyed looking out toward the Winterslow and Old Man Ranges in the Hakatere Conservation Area. It made me reminisce about the time I’d spent tramping there.

Stunning view of the rugged, snow-dusted Winterslow Range from the Mount Somers summit, Hakatere Conservation Area, Canterbury — Looking across to the snow capped Winterslow Range

Wide summit views from Mount Somers showcasing the rocky alpine plateau and a massive backdrop of snow-capped mountains of Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury — There’s no such thing as too many mountains in Hakatere Conservation Area

Descending the Te Kiekie Route to the Saddle

Matt had told me about the fairly new Te Kiekie Route. It leads directly off the summit down to Mt Somers Saddle (1,170m). It is now shown on the DoC website but the topo maps still haven’t being updated with it.

Following the route from the summit was straightforward thanks to regular snow poles. It began as a gentle descent across the summit plateau. After that, it plunged into a very steep 300m drop down into the saddle.

The Te Kiekie Route is definitely a more challenging track. It is unformed and can get very slippery in sections, so I was glad to have my trail running poles for stability. Those with a fear of heights or exposure may find this section intimidating. Like the summit track, there is zero tree cover. It can also be heavily covered in snow and ice during winter and spring.

Descending the steep, unformed Te Kiekie Route from the Mt Somers summit, looking out at the Winterslow Range, Old Man Range & Mount Somers Range in Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury — Starting down the Te Kiekie Route to Mt Somers Saddle

The Side Trip to Woolshed Creek Hut

Once I reached the saddle, I decided I was a sucker for punishment and opted for an out-and-back side trip to visit Woolshed Creek Hut.

The mostly downhill run on a wide, easy track through tussock and sub-alpine scrub was pure joy—so much so that I completely forgot I would eventually have to snail my way back up it all.

At Morgan Stream, I took a quick 5-minute detour down to the creek to look at some fascinating boulder features known as the water caves. There are some beautiful spots here that would be absolutely perfect for a summer swim.

After enjoying a well-deserved break at Woolshed Creek Hut, I turned around and started the slow grind back up to the saddle. I hadn’t realized just how far I had descended on the way down!

⚠️ Top Tip: There are no bridges across Morgan Stream or Woolshed Creek. Assess these streams carefully before crossing. They can quickly become impassable after heavy rain, especially for those not confident in river crossings.

High-angle view looking down from the Mt Somers track into a valley at Woolshed Creek Hut beside a Winding Woolshed Creek in Mt Somers Area, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Passing Pinnacles Hut and the Technical Finish

I finally made it to the saddle for the second time. After that, I was relieved to begin the descent back toward the bush line and Pinnacles Hut.

Pinnacles Hut is named after the striking rock formations on the northern face of Mount Somers. These jagged pillars were formed by the cooling of thick, sticky lava flows over 90 million years ago.

At the hut, I stumbled upon a surprise. A warning sign stated that Bowyers Stream (the hut’s water source) had tested positive for giardia. DoC huts always advise boiling water, but I’ve rarely had to do it in the backcountry and I have never been sick from it before. However, as it was a high-use front-country hut with a clear warning in place I couldn’t risk filling my bottles. Since I was on a trail run, I wasn’t carrying a gas stove. I decided it was safer to push through without water. I knew I had a fresh stash waiting for me in the car which wasn’t too far away at this point.

The wooden DOC Pinnacles Hut surrounded by native bush with a massive rocky mountain face towering in the background, Mt Somers Area, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury — Pinnacles Hut

The Final Stretch to Sharplin Falls

The final leg of the track followed the true right of Bowyers Stream before crossing Pony Stream.

The Chain Section: A fixed chain is installed here. It helps navigate around a large and awkward jutting rock. There’s also fixed chains in one or two places to assist with easier travel over tree roots.
Terrain: This section of the track is steep and rough. It is heavily knotted with tree roots and features some significant drops beside the trail. Those with less experience should allow plenty of time for this section.

⚠️ Top Tip: Both Pony Stream and Bowyers Stream can become dangerous and impassable after heavy rain events.

I eventually climbed up to Dukes Knob. From there, the technical difficulty dropped away. It was a wonderfully easy descent through lush beech forest. The trail flowed down steps on a highly runnable track. I arrived back at the carpark tired and thoroughly satisfied after a good day out on the trails, having clocked over 23km and nearly 2,000m of climbing.

A smooth black inspirational rock with white handwritten text resting on a wooden post along a Mt Somers track in Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury. — A good reminder found during the day.