Front country - easily accessible
Point to Point (one way)
Very hilly
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +11.8%
Average Downhill Gradient: -12.8%
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4:30
Slow
3:00
Moderate
2:00
Fast
Begin at Woolshed Creek Carpark and follow the DOC marked track for Blackburn Coal Mine, Woolshed Creek Hut and Sharplin Falls Carpark. The trail begins in native bush with several exploration options along the way of old coal mines.
About 3.5km into the trail there is the option to go left for the 4wd track to Woolshed Creek Hut. Take this option to enjoy some time on less technical trail and stunning views. Enjoy the descent into Woolshed Creek Hut where there is a stream to cross and an option to fill up water if needed.
From here there is some undulating terrain and two more stream crossings until reaching the climb to the saddle. This climb is the most aggressive of the day. Once on the saddle there is some stunning views and the great running in some open country. Be careful as it can be cold up here with a breeze.
Follow the DoC markers until the Pinnacles Hut. From here the trail is very technical, lots of tree roots and rocks back in the native bush. The descent from Pinnacles Hut will bring you to the stream. Continue down the right side of the stream until reaching the swing bridge to cross. The trail continues down the stream for 1km before beginning a tough ascent to Dukes Knob. From Dukes Knob the descent is technical and can be very slippery.
Once you hit the stairs it is the home stretch to the carpark.
Woolshed Creek Hut Pinnacles Hut Dukes Knob.
There are public toilets at both ends and at the DOC huts.
Because this is a trail that goes around the back of the mountain, it is best to get dropped off at Woolshed Creek carpark and have a vehicle parked at Sharplin Falls carpark if doing it alone. If with a friend, a vehicle can be parked at each end. There is limited cellphone reception at both carparks
13 km
22 minutes
No
No
Easy.
Follow DOC markers.
Very patchy.
Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map
There are several good streams to take water from.
Mount Somers is prone to snowfall over winter. The saddle can often have 1ft of snow
Staveley Store
Staveley
Located 5km from Sharplin Falls Carpark
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mount Somers over the back
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I did this trail as part of the Mission Mt Somers half marathon event.
The trail is super cool and I'm very keen to do it again allowing more time to explore and enjoy. Very beautiful scenery and interesting varying terrain. Quite technical from pinnacles hut downwards. I had a few minor falls, one in a river. All up, a really cool adventure.
November 3
After a freezing winter morning battling Jack Frost, we strapped on our microspikes for the icy climb to the saddle. The trail down the valley turned out to be more technical than we anticipated, with slippery conditions making it quite challenging.
Crossing the river by Woolshed Creek Hut was inevitable, and ended with wet feet—there was just no other way around the icy conditions. The valley was spectacular with icicles everywhere after Pinnacles Hut, but we had to tread carefully due to the icy patches, walking more than running.
Big shoutout to Marylin and Bruce, just 2km down from Sharplin Falls carpark, who relocated our car for $40. They’ve been helping out trampers for over 30 years with car relocations and were very friendly. Their contact details are found on the Mt Somers Walkway Facebook Page or DOC website.
July 15
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.