Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → Canterbury → Mt. Sunday

Location: Mt. Somers area, Canterbury, New Zealand

Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

Distance: 4.8 km/3 miles (roundtrip)

Elevation Gain: 100 m/300 feet

Red Tape/Notes: None.

What’s Nearby?: Woolshed Creek Hut Loop

Rising like an island from the valley floor, Mt. Sunday used to be a little known and rarely visited spot (its name originates from the time when boundary riders from the high country stations used to meet up here on Sundays). And then it became synonymous with Edoras, and suddenly was visited by masses of Lord of the Rings fans. Some of the frenzy has died down, and luckily for us the remaining LoTR fans appear to have been deterred by the spring high water conditions (odd really, considering the entire series was about people trekking around the countryside). Sure, we had to cross over some water, and yes it was a little bit cold. Just take your bloody shoes and socks off and then put them back on when you get to the other side. The water was scarcely ankle deep. Anyway…from the parking area, you typically pass through a gate and then follow the gravel road to the scenic bridge across the Rangitata River. From the bridge the route follows a footpath across the meadows and then ascends a convenient natural ramp to the top of Mt. Sunday, where you’ll have amazing panoramic 360 degree views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Pretty fantastic, especially when you’ve got it to yourself (thanks, minor water hazard!). Side note, I think I was probably a high country station boundary rider in a past life.

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → Canterbury → Mt. Sunday