New Zealand Walks: Gibbons, Pararaha Valley Track and Muir Track

The Gibbons Track Walk in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park is a 14-kilometer long, medium-difficulty track for the enthusiasts.

The track starts from Company Stream Bridge that’s behind Karekare Beach.

In your way to conquer the track, you will come across some enthralling views of flora that’s found in the particular region only.

Completing the track can take somewhere around three hours depending on whom you are travelling. The elevation is 276m, and it can be a little difficult to walk upwards. The walk has good mobile coverage, and you get access to public toilets.

Dogs aren’t allowed on Gibbons Track Walk, and the track has no wheelchair access.

The Pararaha Valley Track starts from behind a large sand dune at the

As a Waikanae resident, and regular walker of the river tracks, I can assure Judy and your readers that the tracks continue from the Te Arawai swing bridge up to the State Highway 1 road bridge, where a footpath enables walkers and cyclists to complete the full loop. This is why there are no signs. The “friendly local walker” gave Judy incorrect information, which meant she missed out on an extra 3.30km of track with some lovely bush sections. The river track on the north (true right) bank does cross private land in places, acknowledged by signs on fence lines. Dick Bellamy

I had my sister with me and we were told by a man on a bike as well as the friendly local lady that you had to cross the Te Arawai Bridge to get back to the other side due to the private property further along. entrance to Pararaha Valley Gibbons Track, Pararaha Valley Track and Muir Track The correct information is that the loop continues by going up onto the main road. As for the comment about needing a sign on the big The track follows the northern bank foot bridge that you had to cross of the Pararaha Stream, fording the to continue the loop we had kept stream to the junction of Muir Track going past it thinking we were on by a large grassy area and shelter. The the correct side to do the loop and track is just over a kilometer long and ended up on a side road. takes about 20 minutes. Thanks to a local we were diThe Muir Track starts from the rected back to cross the foot bridge. Pararaha Valley Track by large grassy Had there been a sign on it with clearing and shelter. A steep track information to cross it to start the ascends around a rocky outcrop and loop it would have saved a lot of up a tributary valley to meet the Gibfoot work for us and probably other bons Track and Walker Ridge Track. walkers that are not local.The track is over one kilometer long Judy EvaAllow 45 minutes.

Hikers Wool is 100% New Zealand wool. Cushion your feet to prevent pain, rubbing and blisters.

For more info visit www.hikerswool.co.nz