Posts Tagged ‘Mt Pirongia’

Te Araroa – West of Hamilton to foot of Mt Pirongia

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Friday 2nd April – 27.5 km – 5.75 hours

Met up with the chooks again at Taitua Arboretum, on a cooler morning, heading westward via quiet country roads with frequent views in all directions.

These took me to the Raglan road, through Whatawhata, across the Waipa River, then picked up the Waipa River Walk. Some pleasant walking alongside the river, and a new found skill for when brambles grab my legs – Freeze ! Not many of those, but then two paddocks of boisterous young cattle – the sort that like to run up behind you when you are not looking and have to be shooed away before they bowl you over.

And so around the tiver some more, and some more quiet country roads to the start of the Kapamahunga Walkway – a walk along farm tracks through hilly limestone country with great views and cattle that were just happy to run away. Just loving the Waikato hills (pic).

A patch of pleasant bush, then some more quiet country roads to the start of tomorrow’s Mt Pirongia jaunt.

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Te Araroa – Ngaruawahia to west of Hamilton

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

29.2 km – 5.25 hours

The next section of Te Araroa involves some walking on a busy stretch of SH1, waiting for a walkway to be built along the south bank of the Waikato River. My scout had been sent out earlier to check out the new walkway, but nothing much happening, so my alternative route was to cross to the north bank and follow a more minor River Rd all the way to Hamilton – at times still able to hear the traffic on SH1.

I crossed to the south bank again on a pedestrian bridge, so picking up with the Te Araroa route again very soon after it actually hits the walkway alongside the river. This delightful walk and cycle way took me all the way into the centre of Hamilton – what a real treat that is for the city to have such a pleasant traffic free walk in the middle of the city.

From there a scoot across to Lake Rotoroa, and then via a few roads to Tills Lookout on the west of the town. And there I was with views all around and the path leading to … Mt Pirongia, where Te Araroa will take me soon. From the lookout the path took me down into the Taitua Arboretum, for a gentle walk amongst the trees to the carpark and my pickup for the day.

Back there hopefully at Easter.

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Walking Te Araroa – Day 26 – Real Track!

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Finally real mountain track, tough, muddy, but clear of brush. Amazing boardwalk section as well. Views from the top of mt pirongia of about 2 metres in the clouds. Met a group of hikers at the hut who all seemed fascinated by my gear. I’ll have to do a write up soon about what I am using.

See where Roland was on the map when he wrote this.