Canterbury police search and rescue have led the successful rescue of a hiker from Mt Sebastopol.

The 20-year-old woman from Palmerston North had set off on a day hike, but turned back before she reached the summit.

On her descent she inadvertently went off-route and found herself bluffed.

The hiker called emergency services using her mobile phone shortly before 2pm this afternoon.

She was picked up by a rescue helicopter about an hour and a half later.