Walks

SHORT WALKS
If challenged for time and fitness we have an ideal selection of short walks to cater for your needs. The Green Walk can be shortened, still taking in some of the fantastic views the property provides. 1-1.5hours
Or venture along the cut tracks through the small patch of native bush on the edge of the garden. Walking along the river's edge in the bush is just magic. 10-45 mins

ABOUT THE LONG WALKS
The terrain is very much big hill country making walks reasonably challenging therefore the fitness level needs to be good. Some of the walking is on bulldozed tracks and parts are on narrow sheep tracks on the side of steep hills. Small bogs and creeks have to be walked through. If you can't climb over fences these walks are not for you.
Cellphone coverage can be received on Telecom mobiles from mid to high hills. The retreat is ‘home base’ - no need to carry luggage, just a day pack.

RED WALK
Start out walking from 600 metres above sea level to some QEII bush then on to the Aerial Range 922 metres above sea level with views of Mt Hikurangi in the North, Gisborne and Young Nicks Head in the East. Panekiri Bluff in the West (Waikaremoana). Built on the Aerial range is a large telecom tower, the Maori’s call the range Matakitaki (observation point). This is where the East Coast plate is pushing on the Pacific plate creating the unique land structure. Soil types differing on either side of the range.
See the remains of huge native trees burnt by out of control fires caused by farmers clearing land back in the 1920’s.
Note: All walks are closed from the 30th August to the 30th October due to lambing
Time:- 4 - 6 hrs (14.5km)

GREEN WALK
This is the most challenging of the three walks. Leaving the retreat and walking up to the high point above the woolshed (770m) then heading off down the hill to view 3 fascinating waterfalls at 300m above sea level. Opportunities to have a stop along the way for a rest or refreshing swim. Then following the river back to the retreat.
Note: All walks are closed from the 30th August to the 30th October due to lambing
Time:- 4-6 hours (10km)

BLUE WALK
Take a historic walk on Sam and Jill Charteris’s Hillview Station to the top of Ngatapa Mountain. The walk will take you past a disused oil rig site where in 1985 Petro Corp tried to drill for oil. They capped the hole and left as they didn’t have the right equipment to go deep enough (we think).
In 1869 the Ringatu church leader Te Kooti took his people to the top of Ngatapa Mountain to a pa site. He was surrounded by the English constabulary and Ropata from the Ngati-Porou tribe before escaping over the cliffs into the Ureweras. See the hole in the ground where Ropata blew the pallistrades.
Note: All walks are closed from the 30th August to the 30th October due to lambing
Time:- 3-5 hours (10km)

GUIDED WALK
(Combining some of the Blue and Green Walks)
A walk for the intrepid. Venture down a very step bank to a large cave. Climb up a rockface beside a 20 metre waterfall, and scale up a 6 metre pole.
Time:- 6-8 hours