New Hillary Trail honours NZ adventurer
17 Oct 2009 - A new four-day walking track through the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland has been named after one of New Zealand’s greatest adventurers, Sir Edmund Hillary. The Hillary Trail will open early next year and covers some of the west coast’s most dramatic bush and coastal terrain. The area has been explored by five generations of the Hillary family and the region’s mayor says he and Sir Edmund had been discussing the idea for 20 years. Sir Ed died in January 2008 at the age of 88.
Follow Hillary’s footsteps
Admirers of the great New Zealand adventurer won’t need to scale Everest or trek to the South Pole to follow in Sir Edmund’s footsteps, they’ll be able to "do the Hillary" within easy reach of Auckland city. The walking track covers 70 km and passes through the Waitakere Ranges and along Karekare, Piha, Anawhata, Te Henga (Bethell's) and Muriwai beaches offering trampers spectacular views of the rugged west coast. Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey said he felt it fitting to attach the Hillary name to the trail as five generations of the family have enjoyed and explored the Piha coastline since the 1920s.
The Hillary family has always been passionate about creating a trail along the dramatic black sand beaches of the west coast. In his 1982 history of neighbouring beach Anawhata, Sir Ed's father-in-law Jim Rose wrote: "My family look forward to the time when we will be able to walk from Huia to Muriwai on public walking tracks like the old-time Maori could do."
Piha link
Peter Hillary, Sir Ed’s son, said his father used to go to Piha and Anawhata to dream up expeditions and prepare for them. When Sir Ed scaled Mt Everest a telegram sent to his wife went through the Piha post office. And when Peter Hillary's mother Louise and sister Belinda were killed in 1975 the rugged coast worked "like a balm" to heal the family's broken hearts. Councillor Sandra Coney, chairwoman of the Auckland Regional Council’s (ARC) parks and heritage committee, said the trail would encourage the average New Zealander into the wilderness, which is what Sir Ed was all about.
"As a family we were raised on weekend adventures out here and we are delighted that this trail will bear our father’s name. Call me biased but the Hillary Trail is one of the finest tramping experiences in New Zealand," said Peter.
Sir Ed’s legacy
Mayor Harvey says The Hillary Trail will be a testament to Sir Ed’s legacy in New Zealand and the world.
"A great icon deserves a great walk. This is one to match the world renowned Heaphy and Milford tracks of the South Island.
"The west coast was Sir Ed’s second home. Anawhata was his favourite beach, a place he called the most beautiful on the planet.
"He would have loved walking the black sand beaches and native bush of the Hillary Trail."
Anniversary opening
The new trail will be officially opened on January 11 next year on the second anniversary of Sir Edmund’s death. After that, trampers will be able to download information from the ARC website, pick up a booklet or have an orientation by rangers at the Arataki Visitor Centre where the trail begins. The Hillary trail crosses three regional parks and will be linked to public transport. Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee said it was hoped the trail would eventually be extended towards the Kaipara Harbour, covering 100km.
The Hillary trail
- 70km route that offers tracks for a moderate level of fitness and ability, starting at the Arataki Visitor Centre and running through the Waitakere Ranges and along Auckland's West Coast beaches.
- Runs through the Karamatura, Pararaha and Craw Homestead campgrounds.
More information: Discover Auckland’s West Coast
Foto-Credit: Huia, Waitakere City, Auckland, New Zealand, Quelle: Flickr, Sandy Austin