As this was a point-to-point walk, we needed to leave vehicles at both ends of the walk. We all met at Karori Park and left 2 cars behind and took the other 2 to the carpark at Crofton Downs Railway Station. It can be quite tricky to ensure we have room for all walkers in both directions. From the railway station, we crossed over into Crofton Downs and walked up Silverstream Road for about a km where we turned up a shared driveway. A special footpath had been installed for walkers. This was probably the steepest section of the walk! We then entered into a narrow-shared track for both bikes and walkers. This had been a resident’s initiative but is now maintained by the WCC. It is a lovely bush track of steeper than normal switchbacks through bush. After 1.5kms we came out into the open and joined a 4-wheel drive track which went in 2 directions. Luckily there were some dog walkers to ask which way we should go as the signage was a bit confusing. We then set off climbing to the top of the hill. Once at the top we turned left to head to Karori following more of a track this time, than a road. It was extremely gusty at the top with the wind whipping straight through you. I was worried about people being blown over, but we agreed to carry on. We continued on along Bell’s Tops admiring the view of the harbour and Lynn soon found a place out of the wind for morning tea. It was only a quick break as it was too cold to linger, so off we went again, following the track until we came down to another 4-wheel drive track which also led down to Chartwell (one we have walked many times). We followed the track around to the site of the old Kilminster Farmhouse and stopped for a quick lunch. The it was a matter of following the track past the turnoff for Johnson’s Hill and at Parkvale Road, we had another discussion of whether to leave here or continue on to Karori Park. We made the correct decision by going on as the track soon became far more sheltered and it was in far better order than when I had last been there. Another 45 minutes and we were in the café trying to warm up with a coffee, before heading back to Crofton Downs to collect the other 2 cars.

It was a walk I would love to repeat again in better weather. One for the summer perhaps.

Lead - Judith O’Leary

Walkers: Lynn, Denise A, Delphine, Trisha, and Gordon