Wonderful winter walks
 |
| Winter hiking, North Island New Zealand 2013. |
1 1. The one closest to you
No, this is not an excuse
for being vague. The fact is that like many reptiles, mammals and amphibians,
many Homo sapiens tend to hibernate
in winter, reducing exercise and interaction with the Great Outdoors. But it’s
one of the best times to be out and about. The cooler air is refreshing in
which to exercise and there are usually less people about. Rather than thinking
that we need to “go away” somewhere to bushwalk, it’s great to remember that a
bushwalk is probably almost on your doorstep (if you live in Sydney). Plus, if
you walk in the same area over a year, you’ll see the seasons come and go, and
begin tapping into the close connection with “country” – the natural world
that sustains us – that so many of us have lost. The little patch of bushland
near me isn’t spectacular by any means, but over the seasons I see the flowers
come and go (currently wattles, spider flowers and peas) and myriad wildlife,
including eastern rosellas, turtles, eels, ducks, owls, tawny frogmouths and
herons.
2. Spit to Manly walk
Sydney Harbour is such a delight
to walk around at any time of year, and this classic track along part of its
shoreline includes Aboriginal carvings, hanging swamps, rainforest pockets and
stunning views. It’s a ripper outing on a sunny winter’s day.
3. Blue Gum Forest, via Perry’s Lookdown
 |
| Blue Gum Forest |
The hallowed Blue Gum
Forest, site of one of Australia’s first conservation campaigns, is a joy to
behold at any time of year, but the walk in and out is a real heart-thumper,
with hundreds of steep stairs. This walk is a great way to get the blood moving
and burn a few of those winter calories (although stopping for cappuccinos and
hot chips at Blackheath on the way back will put them back on again).
4. Mt Solitary, via Ruined Castle
 |
| View from Mt Solitary, on a clear winter's day |
Best done as an overnight
walk, this exciting adventure takes you up the steep Mt Solitary, the mountain
jutting up out of the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains, to camp in one of
the caves near the summit. There are extraordinary views for much of the walk.
It could be done as a long day walk, but after spending the effort getting up
there, it’s nice to stay a while and watch the sun set. Water can be scant on
the summit, and it can even snow at times, so be prepared.
5. National Pass, Blue Mountains
When people ask me “what
walk do you recommend for international tourists,” I nearly always recommend
this century-old classic. Plunging cliffs, waterfalls tumbling off the
escarpment, rainforest, rare animals and a well maintained track all help to
make this 6km round trip well worth it at any time of year. On cold and misty winter
mornings you may initially miss some of the sensational views, but usually
before you’ve finished the walk, the weather will clear enough to realise the
track sometimes teeters over the edge of the towering cliffs.
6. Uloola Falls Circuit
I start the review in my
book about this walk with: “Why sit indoors on a rainy Sydney day, when this
cracker of a wild walk is awaiting you on the southern outskirts. If the rain
is heavy or constant, you’ll be wading across gushing creeks and seeing Uloola
Falls at its best… best of all you can even grab a decent coffee, or a full
sit-down meal, half way through the walk at the Weir Café at Audley.” That says
it all really, apart from the fact that this 15km trek is in Royal National
Park, the second-oldest national park in the world.
7. Old Great North Road and Finches Line
As well as the Blue
Mountains World Heritage Area on Sydney’s doorstep, we have the fascinating
World Heritage-listed convict sites near Wiseman’s Ferry to explore. This 11km
circuit takes you on an exploration of the well-maintained sites, and offers
glorious views over the Hawkesbury River.
8.
The Castle, Budawang Wilderness Area
 |
| The view from The Castle |
Increasingly, as I reflect
on all the walks I have done throughout NSW, this remains a highlight. It was
the toughest walk in the guidebook, and not for the faint-hearted, with scary
fixed ropes to scale the ramparts of The Castle near the summit, but it is such
a great day out that it will keep making nearly every “best of” list that I
compile.
9. Pigeon House Mountain (Didthul)
Far less of a commitment
than The Castle, but in the same area and with similar views, this 6km return
walk has a steepish start, and finishes with a series of stairs and ladders to
get you up to the summit. On a clear winter’s day, the view is almost
unbeatable.
10. Light
to Light Walk, Ben Boyd National Park
 |
| Pretty coastline on the Light to Light walk |
My final
choice is about as far down the NSW coast as you can get, in Ben Boyd National
Park. It’s one of the most stunning sections of coastline I’ve seen in the
state, with myriad colours in the rocks, beaches and water, prolific wildlife,
and some great campsites (where you can have a fire) along the way. Plus, there’s
a chance to stay in a Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage at the end. It’s 32km
one-way, but relatively flat and easy walking.
Feel free
to let me know your favourite winter walks. Get out there and get into it: I’ll
see you on the track.
No comments:
Post a Comment