Mid Canterbury Walks
A vast selection of tracks to experience the sub-alpine and tussock settings of Mid-Canterbury. Highlights include waterfalls, beech forest and the Mt Somers southern fault system.
Woolshed Creek Hut
Track passes around the southern face of Mt Somers through a mix of open grassland and forested catchments.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration:
5km, 3 hours.
Start location:
Woolshed Creek carpark.
Pudding Hill Stream Route
Enjoy a rural track in a beautiful setting.
Walk level:
Expert route tramping track
Duration:
8.25km, 3 hours one way.
Start location:
Mt Hutt Ski Area access road or the western end of Alder Track or from Harts Road.
Rhyolite Track
Passing around the southern face of Mt Somers through a mix of open grassland and forested catchments.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration:
6km, 3 hours 30 minutes.
Start location:
Woolshed Creek carpark.
Scotts Saddle Track
Enjoy great views from Scott Saddle before descending through beech/tawahirauriki forest and alpine herb and tussock communities.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
4.5km, 2 hours. Advanced tramping track.
Start location:
Mt Hutt Ski Area access road.
Sidewinder Track, Woolshed Creek
Steep hill track through old beech forest, climbs steeply through the tailings of the old Blackburn mine, where it joins the Miners track back to the carpark or a chance to continue to the Woolshed Creek hut.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
1km, 45 minutes.
Start location:
Woolshed Creek carpark.
South Face Track - Rhyolite to Woolshed Creek
This route takes in dynamic scenery with regenerating mountain beech forest within a landscape of waterfalls and deep icy pools.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration:
4.6km, 2 hours.
Start location:
Via Bus Stop & Tri Falls.
Woolshed Creek Hut to Pinnacles Hut
A easy tramping route though tussock and subalpine, on reaching the saddle (1,170m) views of the Taylor and Old Man Ranges dominate the scenery.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
6.2km, 3 hours.
Start location:
Woolshed Creek Hut.
Mt Sunday Track
Mt Sunday, famous as the site of Edoras in the movie Lord of the Rings, offers stunning views of the Rangitata River and surrounding mountains.
Walk level:
Easy walking track
Duration:
1.5km, 30 minutes
Start location:
Hakatere Potts Road
Lake Clearwater Circuit Track
Comfortable walk for all the family. Keep a look out for the Australasian crested grebe, a water bird that never comes on land and a special plant Carex secta. Picnic are areas available.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
10.3km, 3 hours.
Start location:
Lake Clearwater carpark.
Lake Emily to Manuka Hut
Manuka Hut (basic 6 bunks) is a great place to take the family. A small stream near the hut is a fun place to play. Watch out for the New Zealand falcon who nest in the area.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
4.5km, 1 hours 30 minutes.
Start location:
Turn right just before crossing Jacobs Stream Bridge at Castleridge Station.
Lake Emma to Lake Camp
Walk to the historic Lake Emma Hut, overnight stays are not permitted but a great stopping place for a picnic.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
9km, 3 hours.
Start location:
Access off Hakatere Potts Road.
Lake Hill Track
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountain landscape and see the affects of past glaciers.
Walk level:
Walking track
Duration:
1.5km, 45 minutes.
Start location:
Lake Heron carpark.
Lake Heron to Double Hut
An old musterers' hut, Double Hut (6 bunk basic) makes a good base for exploring the area including climbing Mt Taylor.
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration:
10km, 3 hours.
Start location:
Lake Heron carpark.
Lake Emily to Stour Bridge
The track follows the Stour River, which is carving its way through rhyolite bedrock, the rhyolite makes a rich soil which supports a wide range of plants.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
15km, 5 hours. Advanced tramping track.
Start location:
Stour Bridge carpark.
Mt Barossa Summit Track
An easily obtainable peak with good views out across the Hakatere Conservation Park and on a clear day to Aoraki Mount Cook.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
3.5km, 2 hours 30 minutes. Advanced tramping track.
Start location:
Ashburton Gorge Road.
Mt Potts Easement Track
You will need your tramping boots to head up the Mt Potts easement track, after the easement there is no marked route to this high peak (2,184m). The view is worth the effort!
Walk level:
Tramping track
Duration:
1.5km, 30 minutes.
Start location:
Hakatere Potts Road.
Potts River car park to Mystery Lake Link Track
This area is fascinating, with steep roche moutonnée, jumbled scree and large Hall's totara.
Walk level:
Advanced tramping track
Duration:
9.2km, 4 hours.
Start location:
Potts River carpark.
Mt Somers
Mt Somers offers a number of options for walkers of all abilities to explore and get a taste of back-country New Zealand.
What you need to know:
There are a number of walks available including a half/full day hike to one of the DoC huts. Take time to explore your options.
For a circuit trip to Woolshed Creek Hut, walk in on the Miners Track and out via Rhyolite Ridge Track.
There are two main car-parks depending on the track you intend to complete.
Both Woolshed Creek and Pinnacles Huts offer an easy overnight tramp.
