Hiking adventures in New Zealand
Hiking adventures in New Zealand
This weekend's hike took us South West into Victoria Forest Park. If like me, you haven't heard of it before, it is roughly sandwiched between the Nelson Lakes National Park to the East, and the Paparoa range to the West. The nearest town is Reefton. There are lots of walking tracks in the park, and we walked the 'Big River Track' from Waiuta to Big River.
We chose this track because it is pretty low elevation (we didn't fancy...
This morning the weather gave us a window of opportunity to get off the mountain. The forecast was fine with lighter winds until around 11am, before more gales and thunder storms were due to set in. We took the chance and woke at 5.30am for a 6.30 start. After surprisingly decent sleep and a museli bar breakfast, we headed off across the Rangipo Desert towards the Waihohonu hut.
We felt pretty good as...
Today's distance walked - approx 25 kms (15.5 miles).
Ascent - approx 350m (1086 ft).
I was up early, even for me today, and enjoyed my breakfast at 5am with a gorgeous sunrise. I said goodbye to Steve and left camp at 6.40. As I walked the couple of Kms back to the coast path, the sun was catching the Eastern end of the Isle of Wight beautifully. It was another fab morning on trail! As I walked back down to Dancing Ledge a couple were sleeping in each others arms on a mattress on the cliff...
Today's distance walked - approx 13 kms (8 miles).
Ascent - approx 100m (328 ft).
I woke at 5am and had a coffee and Museli bar in my little hotel room. I went downstairs for breakfast at 7.15am, and chatted to the new hotel owners about the history of the building and their plans to restore it's seafaring heritage. I left at 9am. The sun came out at 9.30, as I was making my way back via the marina. At Ferrybridge the trail followed a historic railway line route to Weymouth.
Mid way, I...
Today's distance walked - approx 28 kms (17.3miles).
Ascent - approx 350m (1148ft).
I woke early, but didn't get started until around 8.30am this morning. The first stretch of trail was around the remainder of the Fleet nature reserve en route to Ferrybridge. I briefly passed through a firing range - no red flags flying today, so no detour necessary. I stopped in at one of the huge holiday parks on the way, used their facilities and bought a sandwich.
The next 600m out and back down to...
Today's distance walked - approx 34kms (21 miles).
Ascent - approx 728m (2388 ft).
I woke up at 5.30am and had 2 museli bars and a coffee for breakfast. I wanted to pack in another big day today - I'm way ahead of my original schedule, but I'm trying to shave off another day to get to Lulworth Cove while the firing range isn't in use this weekend. I left at 6.45am. I was glad I'd put in such a big day yesterday, and I was feeling surprisingly good when I set off.
I started...