Mt Barrosa Summit Track, Hakatere Conservation Park, Canterbury NZ
A short but steep climb to the summit of Mt Barrosa (1364m; sometimes ‘Barossa’) provides all round views of Hakatere Conservation Park and surrounding peaks.
Mt Barrosa is apparently a new-ish addition to the large Hakatere Conservation Park in Mid Canterbury. It sits in the Clent Hills, and you can continue across these to other destinations such as Lake Emily. If all you’re after are extensive views of the surrounding countryside then climbing to the summit and back on a short but steep poled route makes for a good half day option.
To confuse matters, Barrosa is spelt differently in the name of the track: Mt Barossa Summit Track. Track notes are at the end.
Mt Barrosa / Barossa Summit Track: The Scenery
Looking up the route from the start. The marked track rises up the ridge to the centre left. Looking over the Hakatere Conservation Park, with Hakatere (Station?) the patchwork of green near the Ashburton River South Branch. Mt Guy is in the centre of the background, and climbing this sounds like a similar walk to Mt Barrosa. Mt Somers: we would climb this two days later. View from the summit. A closer look at Hakatere, Mt Guy and surrounds. Panorama from the summit. I almost couldn’t get this shot due to very strong winds, but the software in my phone managed to compensate for all my shaking. Sophia having lunch on the summit. Mt Taylor over there somewhere. Looking roughly south as we descended. I think that’s Mt Peel to the right. It was very windy! Looking down towards the start. Almost back. Met this guy back at the car.
Track Notes
A poled route the whole way. Obvious in good weather, perhaps not so in mist.
A short but steep 700m ascent to the summit, through private property for a short while at the beginning, then up a ridge in the conservation area. The vegetation is such that you could choose alternate routes up or down, however I thought the marked track was fine. There’s more info on the DOC website if you need it.
