Condensed Financial Statements Of Parent Company (Schedule Of Condensed Statements Of Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Realized securities gains									$ 2,348	$ 4,006	$ 2,051
Other-than-temporary impairment of securities									1,308	6,279	1,816
Interest expense									24,064	31,202	39,520
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									6,932	5,109	(4,930)
Income tax expense (benefit)									1,219	1,035	(2,955)
Net income (loss)	2,105	997	913	1,698	1,480	1,936	905	(248)	5,713	4,074	(1,975)
Dividends on preferred shares									777	371	297
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	1,910	803	719	1,504	1,331	1,862	831	(322)	4,936	3,703	(2,272)
Summit Financial Group, Inc. [Member]
Dividends from subsidiaries									500	500	500
Other dividends and interest income									41	19	17
Realized securities gains									(18)	1,112	343
Management and service fees from subsidiaries									1,044	1,044	1,083
Total income									1,567	2,675	1,943
Interest expense									1,821	1,833	1,934
Operating expenses									1,661	1,641	1,724
Total expenses									3,482	3,474	3,658
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									(1,915)	(799)	(1,715)
Income tax expense (benefit)									(833)	(426)	(829)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries									(1,082)	(373)	(886)
Equity in (distributed) undistributed income of subsidiaries	6,795				4,447				6,795	4,447	(1,089)
Net income (loss)									5,713	4,074	(1,975)
Dividends on preferred shares									777	371	297
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares									$ 4,936	$ 3,703	$ (2,272)