Walking New Zealand January 2023

Walk talk Ultimate Hikes has officially opened its 2022-23 hiking season, marking its 30th year of operation on the Milford Track. Ultimate Hikes general manager Noel Saxon notes the new season has turned to an earlier start date – from early-December last year back to mid-November. ‘We've had incredible support from Kiwi walkers over the past two seasons whilest the borders have been closed and we're pleased to see they've returned in force this year too,’ Saxon says. ‘When the borders opened, we were able to open up our bookings to international visitors which gave us the opportunity to offer more hikes – we are now almost back to operating a full season.’ The season runs through to early April 2023. There is limited space still available on the Milford…

Due to recent flooding, some of the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) walking tracks on the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls will be closed for repairs for approximately three months, World Journeys reports. During this period visitors will still be able to view Iguazu Falls from both the lower and upper circuit walking tracks. World Journeys offers a three-day, two-night Iguazu Falls package which can easily be added to a South American itinerary. Priced from $910 per person, it includes four-star accom modation with breakfast, National Park fees in Argentina and Brazil, airport transfers, two half-day private sightseeing tours to both sides of the falls and entrance fees.…

New Zealnd Transport Agency recently celebrated signing the construction contract for Te Ara Tupua Alliance – confirming the project team is moving to the delivery stage. The agreement means construction of the Ngā Ūranga ki PitoOne pathway will begin later this year. The project will create a safe attractive way to walk and cycle between Wellington and the Hutt and will provide much-needed resilience to the coastal edge protecting SH2, the rail line, and key underground infrastructure.…

Walk talk A Walkers World/Cycling Europe is offering packages that will be suitable as add-ons for kiwis wishing to attend the America's Cup in Spain. ‘Fans may be considering their options round the racing in September- October 2024,’ says managing director Jill Grant. ‘Catalonia has a comfortable temperature at that time of year to take advantage of the great walking and cycling tours within easy reach of Barcelona.’ Jill says Cycling Europe's week-long Pyrenees to the Cost Brava self-guided bike tour is a ‘roll’ down from the little villages in the foothills of the Pyrenees, via historic Girona, to the coast of the Costa Brava. It is suitable for almost anyone. On at the coast, the Camins de Ronda is a famous walking route to coves and white-washed fishing villages.…

Cyclists on the southern end of the Waikato River Trail near Atiamuri will have a safer and more scenic ride thanks to a New Zealnd Transport Agency Stream. The 36.5 metre bridge means people walking and riding the trail will no longer need to use the nearby road bridge on State Highway 30. The bridge was formally opened on Friday 12 August with a blessing by kuia from mana whenua Raukawa. “The Waikato River Trails Trust is delighted with the bridge, it looks great running alongside the river,” says Glyn Wooller, General Manager of the Trust. “The bridge and connecting trail will make a huge difference by taking all cycling and pedestrian traffic off the State Highway. This will provide an immediate benefit to the day-to-day trail use as well…

Mt Favourite Walk On a sunny Saturday in November, ‘Shoestrings’ tramping group in Tauranga walked one of our favourite walks the Ngamuwahine Loop Track in the Kaimai/Mamaku Forest Park. The walk starts at the end of Ngamuwahine Road, off SH 29, 25 kms from Tauranga. There is plenty of par king and a lovely swimming hole in the river to entice you to have a dip at the end. We set off at 9.30am, passing the lodge, and crossing a little footbridge on the left just before a ford across the river. A sign marks the start of the track. The trail is undulating, but mostly up-hill, with some quite steep sections. There are lots of tree roots forming natural steps. After about 25 minutes we reached the junction to…