Bridle Path to Cass Bay 2023

Leader: David
Photos and report: Annette
Total distance: 10km
Elevation gain: 323m (gained mainly on Bridle Path up to Summit Road)
Duration: approx four hours

A strong norwesterly wind was predicted for our walk but what little wind we experienced did not dominate the day.  Our leader David suggested that anyone who wanted a head-start could begin the walk early.  So it was not until we had all climbed the steep Bridle Path  up to the Summit Road that our group of 18 walkers was together.

Having descended into Lyttelton we were reminded of the season by all the spring flowers on the hillside as we walked through the township on our way to Cass Bay.

After lunch admiring the view of the bay, we returned via the Coastal Path, passing by pretty Corsair Bay then the marina to catch the bus through Lyttelton Tunnel back to our starting point at the Gondola Terminus.

Our GPS-tracked route (click to enlarge)

 

Steep Bridle Path to Summit Road,  Heathcote Valley as backdrop

 

Margaret and David chose the harder way, the pipeline track

 

Morning tea near Summit Road with Lyttelton Harbour view

 

Descending Bridle Path to Lyttelton

 

Bridle Path

 

Port of Lyttelton from Bridle Path

 

Blossom in Lyttelton township

 

Succulent (aeonium arboreum) on the hillside

 

Lucky to spot a peahen in the township

 

Lots of kowhai in full bloom

 

Track from Governors Bay Road leading down to Cass Bay

 

Surprised to meet old friends in the Cass Bay playground

 

Cass Bay

 

Cass Bay lunch

 

Leaving Cass Bay

 

Passing by Corsair Bay

 

Resting in the marina

Click here to see a video of our route, best viewed in large.

 

 

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