Walking Weekend promises to be biggest yet

 

Mangawhai Walking Weekend organiser Gordon Hosking sends a big “thank you” to generous landowners for opening up their properties and in some cases their sheds. Also a big vote of thanks to the trackies who have been shedding mud, sweat and tears all winter opening up new tracks and improving existing ones.

Walkers love to come back for this annual event. In its 17th year this April, it has become a social event for family and friends. Some come for a strenuous workout, others enjoy a more leisurely event soaking up the local culture and history; and of course, a major attraction is the Mangawhai Food and Wine Festival, an afternoon of socialising and dancing to cool music in a local olive grove.

The most popular walks and events from previous years have been retained. Participants tell us that they love to try new adventures and those appearing for the first time this year include:

TANEKAHA FALLS/PURIRI TRACK (GRADE 4-5)
This new walk combines the best from the Tanekaha Falls track with the entirely new Puriri track. Get up close and personal with two very large puriri trees, one of which is bigger than the largest formally recorded in Burstall and Sale’s Great Trees of New Zealand. Beautiful forest, outstanding views, big trees and photo ops – a bush walk not to be missed.

BLOKES SHEDS (GRADE 2)
Visit some outstanding Mangawhai sheds where locals indulge their passion, from classic car restoration, to wood turning, to home brewing. Sheilas are welcome but no talk of cooking, babies, or dressmaking.

MANGAWHAI GARDEN SPECTACULAR (GRADE 2)
Visit stunning local gardens and meet their enthusiastic owners. Northland has the perfect climate for gardens to flourish and some of our locals take full advantage of this.

EVENT CACHE (GRADE 3)
A geocaching event held in the 37ha Mangawhai Community Park. Lots of tracks, or bush bash, with plenty of up and down. How fast can you do it? Great for the young and energetic or the old and cunning. Start and finish at the Mangawhai Activity Zone.

MANGAWHAI HIGHLIGHTS AND HIDDEN PATHWAYS (GRADE 2)
Stroll through some of Mangawhai’s hidden pathways and hear about the history from knowledgeable locals. A must walk for anyone thinking of relocating to Magical Mangawhai. Morning tea at the new museum is included. BIKE MANGAWHAI GRINDFEST

Fun filled bike riding for all ages and abilities. Experience the Mangawhai Activity Zone bike trails and skills area, under the supervision of capable riders led by our own Commonwealth

Games representative Sadie Parker. Children and adults try your skill, learn from the experts, and compete in short cyclo cross races. Don’t forget your helmet!

n Mangawhai Walking Weekend 2016, April 1-3. Bookings for all walks and events are now open online mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz, facebook.com, or call Dorothy on 431 5950.


NEW TRACK: Mangawhai trackie Ash Gibbs below a big puriri on the new Puriri Track, a bush walk not to be missed.