Leader and report: Heather
Photos: Annette and Anh
Total distance: 11.2km
Total elevation gain: 497m
Time: approx five hours including refreshment stops
Our 21 walkers enjoyed ideal spring conditions for our walk starting at the Bowenvale Reserve in calm, cloudy conditions followed by sunshine and a gentle breeze on our way back down. Our climb up the Bowenvale Valley Track was rewarded with sunny calm conditions for morning tea and a wonderful view of the city, with the snow capped Southern Alps just starting to appear from the clouds. Near the Summit Road we veered onto the bike track heading towards Huntsbury, where we crossed the road and returned towards Sugarloaf on the Crater Rim Walkway, and onto Mitchells Track on the harbourside of Sugarloaf. We enjoyed lunch in calm sunny conditions at a viewpoint overlooking Governors Bay and Lyttelton Harbour; then down to the Sign of the Kiwi for a circumnavigation of Coronation Hill, before joining Thomsons Track to connect with the Latters Spur Track, and the Eastside Bush Track back to our cars. As always on our walks, there was plenty of interest to see and smell including tree damage from recent galeforce winds in the pine forest of the Eastside Bush Track; several apple trees in full blossom; and masses of the fragrant flowering wild currant in several places along the way.
Click here to see a video of our route, best viewed in large.
Port Hills Walkers 