10 October 2026
Cloudy periods, then a few showers from late afternoon, possibly heavy and thundery inland. Northeasterlies.
Loading outdoor place details…
KiwiTools
Search KiwiToolsFind tools, guides and categories in one place.
Loading photo
1 / 36Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area
Mt Thomas via Summit Track
Summit Track follows steep ridge to the summit of Mt Thomas with great views of the Southern Alps and Canterbury plains. It makes for a great loop walk with Wooded Gully Track
Distance
10 km
Walking time
4-5 hour loop
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
On-lead only
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
Treefall in Mount Thomas Conservation Area
Weather outlook
Canterbury Plains forecast
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 4:55 pm
11 October 2026
Areas of early low cloud otherwise fine. Isolated afternoon showers, mainly about the foothills. Northeasterlies, then northwesterly from afternoon but light winds south of Rakaia River then becoming southerly there at night.
12 October 2026
Fine. Northeasterlies developing for a time in the afternoon and evening.
13 October 2026
Fine, but becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Northwesterlies.
14 October 2026
Rain easing in the afternoon. Southerlies, dying out in the afternoon.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Mt Thomas via Summit Track on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Mt Thomas via Summit Track
Summit Track The Summit Track will take you to the top of Mount Thomas via a very steep trail that ascends through pine forest. It is a relatively short track at just under 4km from the carpark to the summit, but don’t be fooled as it can be slow going due to the 700m elevation gain occurring in the short distance. Start at the Wooded Gully Campsite following signs for Summit Track. You'll start out on the Wooded Gully Track, but take a right turn soon afterwards. It is a well-formed track that is predominantly used by hikers and dog walkers. The forest shields the view most of the way but once at the top you will have beautiful panoramic views of the Canterbury plains and Southern Alps. You can walk this trail as a loop by combining it with either Wooded Gully Track or the Ridge Track . If walking as a loop it is usual to go up the Summit Track first, as this is steeper than the other two tracks, however it can be completed in either direction. Wooded Gully Track This track is just over 6.4km to the summit and has a decent elevation gain of around 800m. It is a varied trail which is technical and steep in places with tree roots, rocks, and uneven ground to cover. It begins at the Wooded Gully Campsite and takes you through native bush for approximately 5km until you come to the bush line and begin walking along a wide but exposed ridgeline. Continuing along the ridge will bring you to the summit of Mount Thomas where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Canterbury plains and Southern Alps.
Essential information for Mt Thomas via Summit Track
Amenities There are toilets at the campground close to the car park. Once you are on the track, there are no more amenities. Be aware Wasps can be a problem during summer months Areas of the Wooded Gully Track can be muddy Ridge Track frequently gets eroded following storms There are many options to combine trails in this area to create longer walking loops
Huts and campsites
Wooded Gully is a pleasant little campsite, very popular with dog owners, at the starting point for these tracks. For an overnight walk, consider heading to Bob's Camp Bivouac , which is a cute 2-bunk bivvy via Bob's Camp Route which begins from the top of Ridge Track , but can also be accessed via Wooded Gully or Summit Tracks.
Getting there for Mt Thomas via Summit Track
The track starts from the Wooded Gully camping area at the end of Hayland Road. Use this location in Google maps to find your way to Wooded Gully Campsite
Helpful resources
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .
Dog access for Mt Thomas via Summit Track
Dogs on a leash only.
Before you walk Mt Thomas via Summit Track
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.