With Days Getting Longer, Today's Hike with Auckland Trailblazers is Walking The Montana Heritage Trail at the Cascades Kauri Regional Park in the Waitakere Ranges.
The Montana Heritage Trail is a grand name for a joint venture between Montana Wines and Auckland Regional Council which was recently upgraded to the new Kauri Tree Die Back Standards with highly engineered boardwalks designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible. It has become a very popular destination for Aucklanders, as it encompasses a variety of habitats,from very old and huge mature Kauri Trees, to include a huge variety of native NZ trees.
This walk starts off by driving towards Bethells Beach via Te Henga Rd, off the northern end of Scenic Drive, then turning left onto Falls Road....driving through the Waitakere Golf Course, so set your GPS for 45 Falls Road...Continue through the Golf Course to the carpark at the road end . Overflow Carparking is on the lower Grassed Areas, and this is where we are meeting at 9.30 am Ready to Walk.
Track Lenght is a 8km (loop)
Walking Time is Approx 5 hours.
Track Quality is family friendly, with boardwalks designed to have us off the ground. Including wooden steps ascending the steeper sections, requiring short bursts of energy, and some huffing and puffing.
We do however stop lots to rest and take pictures, and learn something about the things we see along the way, like the native trees, birds , and other wilderness we see today, including Kauri Trees, that are hundreds of years old.
We begin by walking through the Renamed Auckland City Walk, now called Te Piringa..It's a relatively easy flat trail, show casing huge Kauri Trees alongside the Waitakere Ranges River and nearby Cascades Waterfalls which are mainly hidden.
Then we start the main Montana Heritage Trail, the track zig zags uphill at a good gradient, up and down, along ridges, right through the Kauri Forest..and other magnificent mature trees include Rimu, Totara, and Tanekaha, Rata, and Native ferns and plants and grasses here ..As well, expect to see and hear our NZ Birds, including Kereru, our native nz pigeon, and Tui, feeding on the fresh spring flowers of Kowhai and Rata.
Following the Upper Kauri Track, Long Road Track and Fenceline Track that form the Montana Heritage Trail we reach the huge Waitakere Ranges Dam/ Reservoir where we will have our Lunch, at the base of the Dam, there's a smaller waterfall here, and a chance to cool down, soaking feet , and enjoying nature, friendship and the panoramic views of the wilderness of the Waitakere Ranges.
Toilets here too..and also probably more people will be here than our previous events, so feel free to bring along your active teenagers, international home stay students etc.
Important Stuff-
Bring along everything you need to keep yourself warm and happy and fed and hydrated for today's walking/moderate level of hiking. Carry at least 2l of Water and protein snacks, to keep yourself energized throughout the day..
Wear strong walking shoes or boots and perhaps consider bringing a hiking stick/pole , these help older knees and lower backs, give your body strength and stamina..and can help you gain confidence Walking.
No Dogs, Young Children, Or Smokers please.
Ideally suited for people looking forward to slower paced walking and socializing, and photography opportunities along the way.
Expect a start at around 10am after introductions, with a finish today between 3 and 4 pm.
Allow Extra Time for Getting here, as with warmer temperatures, more people will be coming here, hence the earlier meeting place time at 9.30am .
Any questions or suggestions, please PM me , on Messenger or my Mobile 0274 77 94 95.
Bring a rain jacket and warmer layers of wool, its not summer yet.
Swimming opportunities here today too if you're interested near the carpark in the fresh water streams for those interested.
I look forward to seeing you soon .
GPS - 45 Falls Road. Waitakere.
Happy Walking Everyone.
Coming Up on the 18th of October is a Waikato Region Hiking Trip near Te Aroha in the Wairongamai Valley.
Stay active and keep yourself brand new.
Cheers Stephen F.
Mob 0274 779495
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Waitakere, Sports events in Waitakere, Workshops in Waitakere.
