Mount Somers summit hike: Walking Guide, Time & Access

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Location & access

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.

Official location information

Location source

DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.

Reference point: -43.63238, 171.39683. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.

DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.

Key facts

Distance: 5.7 km one way one way
Walking time: 3 hr 30 min one way
Track grade: Advanced
Location: Hakatere Conservation Park / Mount Somers area
Seasonal restrictions: The best time to hike this track is from November to April. It has persistent snow and ice in winter and spring, which requires winter alpine skills and equipment.
Dog access: No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.

Route overview

Climb to the summit of Mount Somers for 360 degrees views.

This DOC directory entry covers Mount Somers summit hike in Canterbury, within Hakatere Conservation Park / Mount Somers area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

Distance: 5.7 km one way one way
Walking time: 3 hr 30 min one way
DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Seasonal restrictions

The best time to hike this track is from November to April. It has persistent snow and ice in winter and spring, which requires winter alpine skills and equipment.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The hike to Mount Somers summit is a challenging day walk that is best suited to fit, experienced trampers. It involves a gain of 1200m elevation, and the track is rough, steep and unformed.

From Sharplin Falls car park, follow the South Face Track as it climbs through forest.

A track junction marks the start of the Mount Somers Summit Track. From here it is 2.1 km/1 hour 30 min to the summit. This is a good decision point to:

check that there is no snow on Mount Somers. If there is snow, you need winter alpine skills and equipment
consider turning around if the top of Mount Somers is in cloud. This will mean there is low visibility further up the mountain and it may be difficult to follow the track
check that there isn’t any bad weather coming from the south. The summit is very exposed to southerly fronts.

The track climbs steeply up the side of Mount Somers. Follow the orange marker poles.

The summit at 1687 m has excellent views of the surrounding mountains and coastal plain.

You can return back down the summit track or continue on Te Kiekie Route, which starts at the summit.

In winter, the south face of Mount Somers gets very little sunlight, making the snow hard and icy. An ice axe, crampons and some mountaineering experience are required to safely reach the summit.

Understand if you are ready for Mt Somers tracks

Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video which takes you through how to prepare for the tracks on Mount Somers, including this track. It explains the facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area.

Getting there

The summit can be reached from the Sharplin Falls car park. From Staveley, follow Boyds Road for approximately 450 m, then turn right onto Flynns Road and follow this to the end.

Know before you go

Be ready for all weather

The Mount Somers area is an alpine environment and bad weather can occur at any time of the year. The area can be extremely hot and dry, and at others times can experience freezing cold, high winds, heavy rain and snow.

There is no tree cover on much of the route and you are fully exposed to the weather.

Always bring warm, waterproof layers, sturdy footwear and sun protection.

Be careful of low visibility. Always carry navigation aids (eg, map, compass, GPS) and know how to use them.

Check the Mount Somers Track weather forecast

Expect snow and challenging alpine conditions in winter

In winter, the south face of Mount Somers gets very little sunlight, making the snow hard and icy. An ice axe, crampons and some mountaineering experience are required to safely reach the summit. The summit of Mount Somers is very exposed to southerly fronts.

Pack well for your hike

Day hikes gear list

Overnight and multi-day packing list for tramping

We recommend carrying a distress beacon. This track is on NZTopo50 map sheets BX20, with BX19 covering adjacent terrain on Mount Somers.

There are wasps

Wasps may be present in high numbers, particularly during summer. Consider carrying an antihistamine product and if you are allergic to stings, ensure you bring your medication.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.