Walk 12 – Four walks in One! 21km

Due to popular demand, we have introduced a longer walk. (Please note this walk includes sections of 4 of our individual walks)

Catch the passenger from Russell to Paihia and walk four walks in one!

The first part is the Paihia School Road Lookout.

A pleasant 2km climb to a view of the Bay of Islands. From the viewpoint you can see the Bay from Opua to Waitangi and over the Russell Peninsula to Urupukapuka Island and Cape Brett in the distance.

The second part of the walk is the Oromahoe Traverse (no longer part of the programme), a medium to hard walk, a unique opportunity to walk this ancient trail used by Māori for hundreds of years, that runs right through the heart of the stunning Opua State Forest. Learn about the community’s mammoth effort in taking out over 11,000 pests and the explosion of native wildlife that followed, particularly the magnificent Northern Green geckos, kiwi, wood pigeons, tomtits, owls, and so much more.

The third part of the walk includes some metal road walking and the stunning Opua Kauri Walk (no longer part of the programme). The kauri walk is a short but delightful stroll, partly on boardwalk through groves of kauri to an elevated lookout platform and bench seat. Once at the lookout you will be surrounded by kauri trees of different ages – from young rickers up to 25 years old to more mature trees of about 400 years in age.

Returning to the road we walk down Oromahoe road to join the fourth part of our walk – a section of the Opua to Paihia coastal walkway – which is part of the Full Circle Walk. Wonderful views of Veronica Channel can be seen here along with a stunning mangrove boardwalk.

You will feel a great sense of achievement as you catch the passenger ferry from Paihia to Russell again. After all – you will have walked around 21 km!!! A half marathon!!!

Saturday 11th October Assemble HQ: 7.15am Return to HQ: approx. 5.00 pm (transport at 4.30pm) Duration: 8 Hours Distance: 21 kms Grade: Hard Maximum walkers: 20 Category: Family friendly – children 10 years plus Cost: $35 - includes guided walk and both ferries

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Please check what is included and the time and length of your walk so you know what you need to bring in terms of food and water. It’s always a good idea to have a card or cash on you as you never know what you might encounter along the way.

2. The Russell Bowling Club is our Walking Weekend HQ, all walks start from there.

3. How the walks are graded

• We want to make sure everyone enjoys their walks. • Please match your level of fitness to your chosen walks to maximise your safety and enjoyment. • It can spoil the day for you and your group if you set out on a walk you have difficulty completing.

Grade 1 Easy Suitable for anyone. Tracks are of a good standard, mainly flat with a few gentle rises, well-formed and very easy walking

Grade 2 Medium Suitable for most people. Flat to hilly on well-formed tracks that are of a medium standard. Surfaces vary with some short steep grades

Grade 3 Medium to Hard Good fitness level required. Tracks are of variable but good quality including more demanding climbs and descents of moderate duration. Can have muddy/slippery stretches after rain

Grade 4 Hard High fitness level required. Tracks variable to rough, with longer distances and steeper sections than Grade 3. Can be muddy/slippery after heavy rain

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.