Conquer Mt Somers with Bushman Tours

Provided by the award-winning Bushman Tours.

Up for a challenge? A locals' favourite, this full-day adventure offers 360-degree views over the Canterbury plains and big climbs into those long white clouds.

• No mountain climbing experience needed.
• Great for those that love a rewarding challenging with stunning views.
• Safe and guided on well-marked tracks.

We Kiwis are known for our love of mountains (Edmund Hillary, anyone?) and you’ll know why after this classic Canterbury trip. There’s just nothing quite like the views of our Southern Alps, the remoteness, the challenge to navigate our rugged peaks and native bush. I’ve done this route several times and know all the best spots to have lunch, soak in the surroundings and watch our curious wildlife. Mount Somers is a fantastic hike for those interested in more mountainous experiences.

We’ll explore the stunning Rhyolite Ridge on the way to the South Face of Mt Somers and catch our breath and refuel at the little shelter just below the summit, before tackling the final climb. It’s a big day, but the rewards are gorgeous views over Canterbury and a fascinating landscape made up of volcanic formations and unique alpine vegetation. There’s even the chance to spot our endangered New Zealand falcon, the “Karearea”. It’s days like these that make us feel alive and fit again after everything we've all been through.

The day's plans

Mt Somers is located in the middle of rural Canterbury, leading us through several quaint villages before we arrive at the car park. I’ll show you my favourite local cafes during the drive and we can grab coffee and food to get us fuelled up for the climb ahead.

Rhyolite Ridge makes for an interesting but steep start - we can take breaks along the way until we reach the first junction. Did you know you can opt for an overnight adventure with me and explore the nearby Woolshed Creek? Check it out here.

From here, the track sidles up and down the rugged southern face, with views over the Canterbury plains below and rhyolite cliffs above you. Once we’ve reached the small day shelter, another steep climb to the summit awaits and we are finally on top of the world! Well, at least it feels like it… We’ll take our time to soak in the panoramic views and I can tell you more about the unique flora and fauna you can find around here before we retrace our steps. On the way back, you’ve got the views right in front of you, combined with the golden late afternoon glow. Time to snap some photos before returning to the car park for our trip back.

Our grace period: 
Cancel up to 48 hours* before your tour for a full refund.

*Subject to our T&Cs for more information or contact us. 

When you book with Bushman Tours, you must agree to our terms and conditions found at https://bushmantours.com/terms/

Every tour comes with unique gear requirements. If you arrive at the tour without the minimum requirements specific to the tour, your Bushman guide may cancel the trip. To avoid disappointment, visit your tour's unique requirements via our website - https://bushmantours.com