Get your walking boots on!

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Online bookings for Mangawhai’s hugely popular Walking Weekend, to be held March 27-29 2015, opened early December and many walks are already filling fast.

With 29 different walks on offer over three days you will find a walk to enjoy for all levels of fitness.

The Mangawhai Cliff Top Walk, Ramblers Food Experience and Romance of the Kaipara continue to be extremely popular, and for some-thing different there is kayaking, a Doggy Walk and the little treasures of Logues’ Bush and Te Arai Unwrapped.

Every year we aim to bring in new and exciting walks into the programme and in 2015 we have three new walks: Tanekaha Falls Track; the outstanding and challenging Tanekaha Loop incorporating the Tanekaha Forest and Falls Tracks; and 10 Acres in 10 Years, when we will hear interesting tales from small block owners returning pas-ture to native planting.

The recent opening of the Tanekaha Falls Track saw 120 locals turn up to celebrate the ribbon cut-ting at the little swing bridge, an outstanding new track with much local history. This walk will be a highlight of the weekend for those keen hikers wanting to get out on a longer excursion.

The Troubadour Trail continues on Friday afternoon with enjoyable performances along the estuary and cliff top between Alamar Cres and Findlay Street – music and magic, an enjoyable amble for all of the family.

Following last year’s sold out event and by popular demand, the Mermaids Dance Band returns to the Mangawhai Wine and Food Festival on Saturday af-ternoo. Relax in the olive grove, enjoy the music, the food and wine with walkers and friends, and dancing guaranteed!

The weather is always fine and sunny in the north so come along to Mangawhai, check out New Zealand’s oldest and most exciting walking festival. For more information, walks programme and bookings take a look at our exciting new website mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz.

- Trish Whyte