Hollyford Wilderness Experience

A back Blip to record our amazing tramp. It’s mainly for my record…so read if you wish…but skip it and look at the photos only!

First day walking: 19.5km, 7 hour walk to Pyke Lodge

We went by bus to the start of the track, where the 14 walkers and 2 guides (Michelle and Kirstin) got organised, in beautiful sunshine , for our tramp that day. The guides were fabulous- so knowledgeable of of the flora and fauna; early Māori history and the early white settlers. We stopped quite often to be told stories or to identify different plants and sample different ones.

It is a mainly flat track, slightly undulating and can be rocky underfoot. The main photo is of me (taken by Jill), making good use of my 2 walking poles. I was thrilled how my knee held up to the long walk.
Today was mainly walking through native forest along side the Hollyford River. We sat by it for our lunch, and could refill our water bottles - the water was so clear and safe.

Pyke Lodge is beautiful (extra 1), and we appreciated hot showers before being served a wonderful platter of nibbles, then venison for dinner. The left over venison was fed to the eels and in (extra  2 ), you can see Jill feeding them- they actually come out of the water to take the food before slivering away back in again!

We had a wonderful evening getting to know our fellow trampers and guides.