The circuit walk up Mt Grey / Maukatere (933m) is mostly a pleasant forest walk, but the views from the grassy summit are extensive. The views north-east up the coast are the best, with rolling hills between Mt Grey and distant tall mountains. We had interesting light and clouds when we did it, but I’d like to return on a clear day to get a proper look at those mountains. If you want to get good pictures of those peaks to the north then you’ll need a zoom lens.
I’m not sure how long it will last, but a very interesting feature of the walk was a tree on the Red Beech Track that was covered in fungi on the lower part of its trunk. You can see that photo with the others below. Track notes at the end.
Mt Grey / Maukatere Circuit: The Scenery
Track Notes
The route is a marked track the whole way (poled on the tops). We walked up the Mt Grey Track and down the longer Red Beech Track. These tracks start on opposite sides of the Grey River at Grey River Campsite.
You have to ford the Grey River on the Red Beech Track, which can be dangerous apparently when water levels are high. This is the case when there is water overflowing the vehicle ford at the start of the tracks. This certainly wasn’t an issue when we did it.
If you are moderately fit it’ll probably take 5 hours for the circuit. You could always go up and down the Grey River Track which would be shorter (maybe 4 hours). More info on the DOC website. (Note that you drive in to the walk from the east (Amberley), not the south).
Great walk & pictures once again, that fungi covered tree is amazing. I like the variety of scenery on this walk, definitely put it on my list of walks to do.
Cheers Tony. It’s a good one being close to Christchurch, and not too strenuous. Not exactly wilderness but still felt a bit wild despite the pine plantations and farmland nearby.