8 day hikes in Mid-Canterbury, New Zealand

I feel like this region is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to hiking. There are so many incredible tracks, especially for day hikes, yet it often flies under the radar. Much of the hiking here is off the beaten path, and areas like the Ashburton Lakes feel like stepping into an entirely different world.

Technically, Mid Canterbury spans between the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers (the Ashburton District), but I’ve also included Lake Coleridge—partly because it’s so close, but mostly because it’s home to my absolute favorite hike in Canterbury (how could I leave it out?).

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I’ve put together 8 must-do day hikes in Mid Canterbury that deserve a spot on your adventure list. Plus, I’ve included a few tougher challenges and some easier options for variety.

Keep in mind, these day hikes require a moderate level of fitness and some hiking experience—you want to enjoy your adventure, after all! Track details are approximate, so always plan ahead and be prepared.

Before you head out hiking:

• Tell someone where you are off to and what time you are expected back
• Make sure you pack snacks and enough water- most trails in Mid Canterbury don’t have access to water while on them
• Have the NZTopo map downloaded on your phone- this is an awesome app that uses GPS offline so you know where you are
• Pack the right gear- I always take a layer even in summer as it can be cooler at the tops
• Check the weather!

Peak Hill

1240m | 640m gain | 5.6 km return | 3-3.5 hour return

Peak Hill is my favourite day hike in Mid-Canterbury, located on the edge of Lake Coleridge. It’s certainly not easy but every effort is worth it for the views.

The track starts through a private paddock before steadily climbing through tussocks and shingle to a rocky ridgeline. It’s, in my opinion, the hardest part of the track but leads to a ridgeline that gives a nice break.  You already get beautiful views of Lake Coleridge and are surrounded by the golden tussocks of the high country. 

With a few false summits and a good push to the end, you reach the top with 360-degree views of the lake and the braided river systems of the Rakaia and Wilberforce.  Make sure you pack a lunch and stay a while. The views are simply stunning and you’ll be proud to have made the effort.

You can find a more in-depth post about Peak Hill here. This track is open in the entire way, pole marked and please note dogs are not allowed on this track and you are not allowed to camp.

How to get there

In the Lake Coleridge area, turn onto Coleridge Road then onto Algidus Road. The start of Peak hill is about 9km down Algidus road and there is a sign posted.

Mt Barossa

1364m | 824m gain | 6.5 km return | 3.5-4 hour return

In the Clent hills of the Hakatere Conservation Park is Mt Barossa.  This track climbs steadily through golden tussock and remnants of volcanic rock. Not an easy climb but certainly rewarding at the top with views of the Canterbury plains, out to the sea and to the high country lakes in the distance. With heaps of boulders dotted at the summit there’s plenty of room for a break to take in the views and catch your breath.

The hiking side of Mt Barossa is south facing which means it does not see a lot of sun in the autumn and winter months. It can quite icy and cold, so be sure to take that into account if going up in the cooler seasons.

The track is marked the entire way up and is one of the few in the area where dogs are permitted. This is one of the more challenging day hikes in mid Canterbury.

How to get there

Mt Barossa is right off of the Ashburton Gorge Road, 17km inland from Mt Somers.

Scotts Saddle

1140m | 600m gain | 8.5 km return | 3.5 hour return

Only 10 minutes from the town of Methven is the Scotts Saddle track. A challenging day hike with good track variety through Beech forest and across scree slopes.

Starting at the Awa Awa Rata Reserve the track climbs steeply through the forest for about 30 minutes before coming to the ridgeline. The tracks slowly descends down before heading up again.

Another 30 minutes or so and track opens up out of the forest into alpine vegetation with views of Mt Hutt ahead. The track gradually continues upwards, over a scree face and to what is called Scott’s Saddle.

You can head down the way you came or if you continue along the saddle, you will meet the skifield road and can continue down and back to the Awa Awa Rata Reserve. This way is still relatively scenic but not recommended in the winter with ski traffic. You also need to be aware of mountain bikers in the warmer months.

Scott’s saddle track is marked the entire way but does tend to get overgrown in the summer months, particulary in a wet season.

How to get there

Turn off of Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road onto McLennans Bush Road. Follow this to the end as it will take you to Awa Awa Rata Reserve where the track starts.

Mt Guy

1319m | 671m gain | 8.5 km return | 3.5 hour return

If you want a quick steep and rocky track, Mt Guy is the one.  The first half-hour getting to the start of the track is nice and easy as you walk the edge of Lake Clearwater. Once at the DOC trailhead sign, the track gradually climbs near a stream gully through tussock.

As the tracks moved away from the gully it climbs steeply getting into rocky terrain. Many different paths have been made around some of the boulders which are much easier to see coming down.

Once past the boulders, the last stretch to the summit flattens out with 360^o views of the Hakatere Conservation area. The summit looks right down on Lake Clearwater, with Lake Emma and Lake Roundabout in the short distance the other way. The snow-topped Southern alps are in view with Mt D’Archiac standing tall.

You can come down the same way you came up or traverse the tops to meet up with a track down below that heads back to Lake Clearwater (or Mystery Lake going the other way). This part of the track is not marked and a GPS or map should be used. It is pretty straightforward but would make the trip longer.

The Mt Guy track is open the entire way and I would caution going on a windy day. It is also marked all the way to the top and dogs are not permitted.

How to get there

Turn onto Ashburton Gorge Road towards Mt Somers. This road turns into Hakatere Potts Road and Lake Clearwater will be on the right. Turn into where the baches are and there will be a picnic area and sign posted for the track.

Mt Lyndon

1489m | 549m gain | 5.6 km return | 3 hour return

Mt Lyndon isn’t a marked DOC track but a good challenge for views over the Craigieburn, Torlesse and Mt Hutt ranges and all the way to Lake Coleridge. This is also a great choice for a dog-friendly hike in Canterbury.

The track starts at the back of the lodge at the end of Lyndon. Take the small track that follows along a stream behind the lodge. Keep going until you see a clear path to go up. Although there’s no DOC markings, you’ll see a tracks from mountain bikers and other hikers. Take note of where you went so it’s easier to come down.

The scree is a good challenge getting up and if you’ve felt like you’ve had enough before the top about 3/4 of the way it flattens a little bit and you still have incredible views out over the lake. It’s a good spot for a rest or even a turnaround point.

Views from the summit of Mt Lyndon are amazing and I highly recommend going at the start of winter when there is a bit of snow on the tops. You can keep going along the ridge over to Cloudy Hill for an extra challenge and longer route. The descent is easier coming down some of the scree. Once you get closer to the bottom, stay right to find a route back to the track along the stream. If you stay too far left, you’ll hit the Matagouri bush and possibly low key bluffed out.

How to get there

Turn onto Lyndon Road from SH 73. Drive to the end of the lake where the Lake Lyndon lodge is. The track starts in behind the lodge.

Mt Alford

1171m | 711m gain | 8.5km return | 3.5 hour return

Another track close to the town of Methven, Mt Alford gradually climbs over both private and public land. Starting relatively easy through Beech Forest, the route winds through the trees and along a stream before hitting open scrub and climbing more steeply.

Once out in the open, the track crosses again over private land. There is a gate to climb through before going up a small hill to a picnic area. This area is often muddy so I would recommend wearing boots. You’re also likely to find cows and/or sheep potentially grazing with their young so take care as you pass by.

The climb to the summit maneuvers through the tussock and around rocks. It can hard at times to see your next marker pole but it’s easy to know which direction to go in as you ascend.

The views from the summit of the surrounding mountain ranges include the Winterslow Range and Pudding Hill Range. You can see over to the Canterbury plains and as far as the Pacific Ocean!

Since this mountain isn’t quite as high it’s a good choice for winter as it usually doesn’t get too much snow making it easy to hike through to the top. Although there is a higher elevation gain for this track I do find it is one of the ‘easier’ choices for day hikes in Mid Canterbury.

The track is marked the entire way up and dogs are not permitted. You can read more about Mt Alford here. Please note the track is closed between September 20 and October 20 for lambing.

How to get there

From SH 72 (Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road) turn onto Alford Settlement road. Follow that to the end where there is a car park.

Woolshed Creek Hut loop

1100m | 640m gain | 10.96km return | 4.5-5 hour return

Woolshed Creek Hut is part of the Mt Somers Walkway and there are several tracks that you can take. If you’re looking for a shorter easier route, follow the Miners Track to Woolshed Creek hut, turn around and come back the same way, taking the Miner’s track that goes over the hill instead of the 4WD track.

The Miner’s track to Woolshed Creek hut going in and back is one of my go-to day tracks. The track is more of a gradual climb and is the easiest day hike in Mid Canterbury, great for kids and gains just over 350 meters of elevation. This one makes for an awesome beginner hike.

However, if you’re looking for a good day hike, I recommend making a loop with the Rhyolite track/ Bus stop loop. Start on the Rhyolite track heading toward the Bus stop. This is the track to the right in the carpark and goes over a small bridge. It’s steep but levels out over a series of boardwalks before descending into the valley. It’s an undulating track as you go through the valley and out to the hut. There are many cool features to see along the way including swing bridge, waterfall, water caves, swimming holes and unique rock formations.

Both tracks are well marked with a detailed map at the start of the track. Dogs are not permitted in this area.

How to get there

Turn onto Jig road from Ashburton Gorge Road (inland from Mt Somers). Follow that road in and it will take you to the car park.

Little Mt Peel

1311m | 911m gain | 8.5km return | 4-5 hour return

The one thing about Little Mt Peel is that its name is a little bit deceiving. I often find myself saying, it’s not little at all, especially with the grunty climb of 911 meters! Despite that though, the steady climb up the Tara Haoa Range makes for a great hike in mid-Canterbury and one that is quite popular among locals.

There are a few ways to get up to Little Mt Peel, the south ridge or via the Deer Spur track. I would recommend taking the Deer spur route. The south ridge is more challenging and rated as an expert track.

Starting on the Deer Spur track you’ll find very quickly that the dampness of the forest and leaf-littered path make for a slippery and in some places muddy track. It’s not long before you’re out in the open (around 40 minutes or so) hiking through sub-alpine vegetation and tussocks.

The Department of Conservation has done quite a bit of work here with a series of wooden boardwalks to get up. They’re pretty easy walking up but can get slippery coming down. A continuous climb brings you to the trig station and the Tristram Harper Shelter that has running water and a toilet. The shelter is not a hut to stay in.

From the trig station, you can keep going to Middle Mt Peel (1583 m) and to Mt Peel (1743). Be aware that it is longer and harder than it looks. If you decide to head this way you’ll want to make sure you give yourself plenty of time as a trip to Mt Peel can equate to a 10-hour round trip and gnarly climb.

The views from Little Mt Peel are beautiful looking out over the plains and up the ridgeline to Mt Peel. My only caution on this track is to not go after a rainfall or head up with a frost because the track can be quite slippery.

How to get there

Turn off of SH72 onto Peel Forest Road. Follow this road for 13 km then turn onto Blandswood Road. Follow this road, stopping before the ford and at the junction with Lookout road. There is no parking up Lookout Road so you need to walk up it to the start of the track. A sign is posted at the start.

Have you done any of these day hikes in Mid Canterbury? Which ones are on your list?

More day hikes in Mid Canterbury

Hike the challenging Mt Somers track

Try these easy walks in Mid Canterbury

Beginner hikes in Canterbury