Great company, ideal weather and scenic surrounds made for a most enjoyable UHWTC walk on Sunday 10 March 2024 - seven members participating.

The nature of this forest walk requires car/s to be positioned at the end of the walk to transport drivers back to Karapoti car park where our walk began. This area is enjoyed by both walkers and off-road bikes; the latter very evident at the beginning of our walk.  Respect was shown by both the bikers and walkers as they passed us on the track; their presence only affecting us for the first 30mins.  Once we reached McGhies Bridge we each went our separate ways.

From McGhies Bridge our route took us into the heart of Akatarawa Forest. Up Woolshed Road then into Airstrip Drive and Valley View Road which took us to the zigzag track back down to Tacoma Drive, Totara Park were our cars were parked. 

Puddles, caused by the motorised bikes and 4-wheel farm bikes, had to be navigated. For those choosing to keep their boots dry a pole proved useful to avoid slipping on the stepping-stones across a small stream (name of which I don’t know).

This is a longish walk of 15.6km with about 300m gain in height and requires a medium level of fitness due to the length. Being a forestry area there are many side routes used by logging trucks so it would be very easy to deviate and end up lost.

Trip Leaders:  Mark and Helen Bassett