Megsy's Adventures
Small-group guided hikes from Methven — no pressure, no route-finding, and a brew on the track.
Megsy's Adventures runs small-group guided hikes into the Mid Canterbury landscape, leaving from Methven with a local guide who knows the tracks. The premise is straightforward: plenty of people would love to get out into this country but do not want to do it alone, are not confident about route-finding, or simply do not have a car. Megsy solves all three. You are picked up in town, driven to the trailhead, walked through the day at a pace that suits the group, and returned to Methven afterwards.
This is deliberately not a fitness test. The emphasis is on slowing down, taking in the scenery, and meeting like-minded people along the way — which makes it a particularly good fit for beginners, solo travellers, and anyone who wants company on the track. Groups are capped at six guests, so trips stay conversational rather than herded, and the guide can actually shape the day around who has turned up.
There are three trips to choose from. The Staveley Experience walks through native beech forest to Sharplin Falls and is the gentlest of the three at three to four hours — a good option for families wanting an easy outdoor day together. The Rakaia Gorge Experience runs four to five hours and takes in the turquoise river and the sculpted volcanic canyon walls of the gorge, a landscape most visitors only glimpse from the highway bridge. The Mount Somers Experience is the full-day option at six to eight hours, heading up to Woolshed Creek Hut through the tussock and rock of the Mount Somers area — the biggest day out and the one that rewards a bit of hill fitness.
What to expect
Trips depart from the Methven i-SITE on Main Street, and return transport is included — so you can leave the car at your accommodation, or come without one entirely. Bookings are required and trips run year-round, weather permitting; departure times are confirmed when you book, and vary with the trip and the season.
Guiding, return transport and a freshly brewed cuppa on the track are all included in the price. The Staveley Experience also includes a coffee at the Staveley Store afterwards. What you bring is genuinely minimal — yourself, some snacks, and clothing suited to the day. Mid Canterbury weather turns quickly even in summer, so a warm layer and a rain jacket are sensible on every trip regardless of the forecast at breakfast.
The three trips sit at different levels of effort. Staveley is the easy one at three to four hours, and suits families and anyone easing back into walking. Rakaia Gorge is a step up at four to five hours, with some climbing away from the river. Mount Somers runs six to eight hours and is the most demanding of the three — a genuine full day on the hill. If you are unsure which suits you, say so when booking — with a maximum of six guests, Megsy can talk it through and point you at the right trip rather than leaving you to guess.
Best time to visit
Trips run year-round, weather permitting. Summer and autumn bring the longest days and the most settled conditions, and are the best window for the full-day Mount Somers trip. Spring is excellent in the beech forest above Staveley, when the bush is loud with birdsong and the waterfall runs high with snowmelt. Winter trips still go ahead in good weather, and the Rakaia Gorge is at its most dramatic with fresh snow on the range behind it — just expect a cold start and pack accordingly. Book ahead in peak summer and school holidays; six spaces per trip do not go far.
Insider tips
- ✓Book ahead at megsysadventures.com/guided-hikes or on 029 023 04359 — groups are capped at six, so trips fill quickly in summer and school holidays.
- ✓Bring snacks and water. Guiding, transport and a brew on the track are included, but food is not.
- ✓Pack a warm layer and a rain jacket whatever the forecast says — conditions change fast in the foothills.
- ✓Wear proper walking shoes or boots with tread. These are real tracks, not footpaths.
- ✓Travelling solo or new to hiking? Say so when you book — these trips are built for exactly that, and the small group size means the day gets shaped around who is on it.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Megsy's Adventures guided hikes cost?
The Staveley Experience starts from NZD $89, the Rakaia Gorge Experience from NZD $119, and the full-day Mount Somers Experience from NZD $169. Return transport from Methven, guiding and a freshly brewed cuppa on the track are included in every trip, and the Staveley Experience also includes coffee at the Staveley Store. Book at megsysadventures.com/guided-hikes.
How long are the guided hikes?
The Staveley Experience takes three to four hours, the Rakaia Gorge Experience four to five hours, and the Mount Somers Experience six to eight hours. Those times cover the whole outing, including return transport from Methven. Departure times vary with the trip and the season and are confirmed when you book.
Are the guided hikes suitable for beginners?
Yes — that is who they are designed for. Trips run at a relaxed pace with no pressure to race to the finish, and they suit beginners, solo travellers and anyone who would rather not hike alone. The Staveley Experience is the easiest of the three and works well for families; the full-day Mount Somers trip is the most demanding. Groups are capped at six guests, so the day can be adjusted to the people on it.
Do I need a car to join a guided hike from Methven?
No. Trips are picked up from the Methven i-SITE at 160 Main Street and return transport to Methven is included in the price, so you do not need a vehicle. The trailheads themselves are 20–30 minutes out of town — Sharplin Falls near Staveley, the Rakaia Gorge on State Highway 77, and Woolshed Creek in the Mount Somers area.
What should I bring on a guided hike?
Snacks, water, walking shoes or boots with decent tread, and warm and waterproof layers. Everything else is taken care of — guiding, return transport from Methven, and a hot drink brewed on the track. Trips run year-round, weather permitting, and are confirmed with you when you book.
Where should I stay for a guided hike from Methven?
Methven itself, since every trip picks up and drops off in town. Visit Methven offers self-contained holiday homes with space to dry gear and spread out after a day on the track — browse and book direct at visitmethven.co.nz/stay.
Practical information
Hours
Year-round, weather permitting. Staveley 3–4 hours · Rakaia Gorge 4–5 hours · Mount Somers 6–8 hours. Departure times confirmed at booking.
Price
Staveley Experience from NZD $89 · Rakaia Gorge Experience from NZD $119 · Mount Somers Experience from NZD $169
Location
Pick-up from Methven i-SITE, 160 Main Street, Methven (Departs from central Methven)
Phone
+64 29 023 04359
Booking required
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