Time: 3.5 hours
Distance: 8 km
Start: Bridle Path Road in between numbers 160 and 166
Finish: Same place (it's a loop)
Date: 11th April 2024
When Linda (winner of the lightest pack award on our recent Waiheke trip) suggested a short walk, I was envisaging a half hour stroll around a park. Instead we walked an awesome four hour loop, from sea level to the summit of Mt Pleasant.
We started our sojourn somewhere on Bridle Path Road in between numbers 160 and 166, near a tiny black sign, half hidden in a bush which says "Track Closed". Despite the sign, the track is obviously well used and goes straight up the hill before sidling through rocky outcrops to a junction near Rockview place. I vaguely recall that in pre-earthquake times there was a side trail near the start to the Heathcote Quarry but these days it must be well hidden (or we were talking too much) because we missed the turn off.
As we neared the top of the subdivisions we turned onto Kenton Track which we followed up, amongst clusters of tame sheep, to John Britten Reserve and Broadleaf Lane and then up to Mt Pleasant.
Standing at the Trig, the views down to Lyttelton Harbour never fail to impress. Today the ocean was partially obscured by a band of fog which made the anchored freighters look like they were suspended in the sky.
We decided to return via the 'burbs. This entailed descending Kenton Track and then wandering down Mt Pleasant Road and Soleares Ave to the Mt Pleasant Community Center.
We had coffee and delicious beetroot cake at the Front Room Cafe and admired the estuary views. Once again the conversation returned happily to our favourite topic (menopause).
The final stretch was along the main road with traffic roaring by, but we were soon back at the cars, completing a fabulous loop on a fabulous day. Thanks!!
