Mount Somers

Rising dramatically from the Canterbury Plains, Mount Somers is a striking peak that anchors the southern end of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Its distinctive pyramid shape and rugged, scree-covered slopes make it a landmark visible for miles. This area offers a classic New Zealand high-country experience, with vast tussock grasslands, ancient beech forests, and braided rivers carving through the landscape. The mountain is the centerpiece of the Mount Somers Track, a multi-day tramping route that crosses the range via the dramatic Stour River Gorge and offers panoramic views of the Canterbury high country.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Somers Track: A 2–3 day tramp crossing the range from Staveley to the Mount Somers village, passing through beech forest, subalpine tarns, and over the 1,300-metre Woolshed Creek Saddle. The section through the Stour River Gorge is particularly stunning, with waterfalls and steep rock walls.
• Sharplin Falls: A short walk from the Sharplin Falls car park leads to a beautiful 50-metre waterfall cascading into a clear pool, perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm day.
• Bowen River Walk: An easy 30-minute walk along the Bowen River through beech forest, with picnic spots and swimming holes. Great for families or a quick leg-stretcher.
• Mount Somers Village: A tiny settlement with a historic church (St. John’s), a classic country pub, and access to several walking trails. The pub serves hearty meals and is a good place to swap stories with local farmers and trampers.
• High-Country Sheep Stations: The area is dotted with working sheep and cattle stations. Driving the gravel roads gives you a sense of the vast, open landscapes that define this part of New Zealand.

Suggested Time to Spend

For the full Mount Somers Track, allow 2–3 days, with overnight stays at the Sharplin Falls Hut or the Woolshed Creek Hut. If you’re short on time, you can experience the highlights in a day: drive to the Sharplin Falls car park, do the waterfall walk (1 hour return) and the Bowen River Walk (30 minutes), then have lunch at the Mount Somers pub. For a longer day, you can hike part of the track (e.g., to Woolshed Creek Saddle and back, 4–6 hours). The best time to visit is from October to April, when the weather is milder and the days are longer.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Ashburton Lakes District: A 30-minute drive north, this area includes Lake Clearwater, Lake Camp, and the stunning Lake Heron, set against the backdrop of the Southern Alps. Great for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching.
• Methven: A 45-minute drive east, this lively town is the gateway to Mount Hutt ski area in winter and offers mountain biking, golf, and hot pools year-round.
• Rakaia Gorge: A 40-minute drive northeast, where the turquoise Rakaia River cuts through a deep canyon. Walk the Rakaia Gorge Walkway for spectacular views, or try jet boating and salmon fishing.
• Peel Forest: A 50-minute drive southeast, this ancient podocarp forest has towering rimu and totara trees, with walks to waterfalls and historic sites like the Peel Forest Homestead.

Please check official sources for current details.