This is a day hike located on the outskirts of Arthur's Pass National Park, which offers a steep climb and outstanding views of the Hawdon Valley and Waimakariri River.
To reach the starting point, take the Hawdon Valley turn-off from the main highway SH73 and cross the Mt White Bridge. After a brief drive, turn towards the Hawdon Shelter, where there is a camping shelter and a long drop available.
The track up Woolshed Hill begins up the small bank behind the camping shelter and a sign here points up the valley towards the Hawdon River track. Turn right here, where you will see the sign indicating the start of the track.
For the first 500 meters, the track wanders through beech forest until reaching Kidson Lodge. Here, you will pass through a grassy clearing with two white poles with orange triangles on the left where the track heads. From the end of the clearing, the track enters the bush once again, and the climbing begins.
The track climbs through the bush until just above the 1000-meter contour. The climb is steady with some steeper sections along the way. After emerging from the bush, the view opens up, and you begin to appreciate the effort it took to get here. With views down to the Hawdon River, Sudden Valley, and Waimakariri River below, ahead in the upper reaches of the valley lies Walker Pass, and from higher, up Mt Valiant.
From the bush edge, there are no more orange triangle markers. However, there are sporadic cairns and a well-worn ground trail. In winter conditions, the trail may be harder to follow. A small tarn is reached at about point 1296, where the trail turns left before climbing the ridge again to the summit of Woolshed Hill.
Above the tarn, there are a few rocky outcrops to negotiate. These are brief, but if you don't have a head for heights, you may wish to take a bit more care and time.
The final climb to the summit is up a tussock-covered slope, hugging the final section of trees before emerging on the rounded top of Woolshed Hill. All the effort is rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views encompassing peaks, passes, valleys, and rivers.
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