A hiking blog with pretty pictures.
The Ridge Track is a pleasant walk through angophora forest and down along the Georges River, in Georges River National Park, Sydney.
The Ridge Track in Georges River National Park is a pleasant short walk, easily accessible from Sydney’s south-west. The angophora dominated forest is attractive, as are views of the Georges River along the way.
Continue reading “Ridge Track, Georges River National Park, Sydney”
Good variety on this traverse of Gwanaksan (632m) on the southern edge of Seoul, with a temple building on top providing the money shot.
Gwanaksan (632m) is a mountain on the southern border of Seoul, and the northern border of Gyeonggido. There’s the usual granite outcrops, pleasant forest, a temple near the start (Gwaneumsa) and one almost on top (Yeonjudae), and of course city views for miles. It’s not as spectacular as Bukhansan to the north, but the finish along a rocky river bed was very pleasant, and added good variety. One of the Yeonjudae Temple buildings is perched on the very edge of the mountain and makes for an impressive photo – scroll down for that. Continue reading “Gwanaksan 관악산 Traverse, Seoul, Korea”
Your reward for the shortish walk up Sorae-san (299m) are excellent views of Incheon, Gyeonggido and Seoul, including a distant Bukhansan.
Sorae-san is a decent sized hill (299m) on the border of Incheon and Gyeonggido. The walk up is like any other forested hill in Korea, but views from the summit are surprisingly good. On a clear day you can see all the way to Bukhansan in the north, over Incheon to the coast, and east towards Gwanaksan. Continue reading “Sorae-san 소래산 from Incheon Grand Park, South Korea”
Dobongsan (740m) via Podae Ridge in Bukhansan National Park is one of Seoul’s classic walks to granite strewn peaks with city views for miles.
Dobongsan (740m) is a peak at the northern end of Bukhansan National Park, and is an alternative climb to the park’s highest peak, Baegundae. The scenery is similar – which is to say excellent – although slightly less spectacular. It’s probably quieter though, and I enjoyed the partial circuit via Podae Ridge. There are the usual granite outcrops, attractive forest (in the right season), and a couple of temples to visit along the way. Continue reading “Dobongsan 도봉산 via Podae Ridge 포대능선, Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, Korea”
Top class scenery in Seoul’s Bukhansan National Park, on the best circuit in the park climbing Baegundae Peak (836m) via Uisangbong Peak.
Bukhansan National Park sits on the northern edge of Seoul, and offers some of South Korea’s most dramatic scenery, all accessible by public transport. The route to the spectacular high point of Baegundae Peak (836m) over Uisangbong Peak (502m) is probably the best in the park. Returning through Oryudong Valley adds variety, including a couple of temples and various traditional buildings. Expect granite cliffs, beautiful valleys, fortress gates and Buddhist temples. Continue reading “Uisangbong 의상봉 & Baegundae 백운대 Circuit, Bukhansan National Park 북한산국립공원, Seoul, South Korea”
The circuit around the walls of Namhansanseong Fortress 남한산성 is a great combination of natural scenery, history & cityscapes all in one walk.
The walk around the fortress city of Namhansanseong 남한산성 is a very nice combination of natural scenery and historic architecture. The complex was built on a mountain (approx 480m high) south of Seoul in the 1600s as an emergency capital. The view of Seoul from the West Gate is excellent, and if you time it like we did, then you can watch the sun set behind the city. The 555m Lotte World Tower is an obvious highlight of that sprawling cityscape.
Continue reading “Namhansanseong Fortress 남한산성 Circuit, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea”Pictures from a couple of circuit walks we did in Mt Vernon Park in Christchurch’s Port Hills. Pleasant walking with views over the city.
There are a variety of tracks available in Mt Vernon Park, passing through sections of native bush, paddocks and tussock. As you climb higher towards Mt Vernon itself there are increasingly good views over Christchurch and of the lumpy crater rim from on the tops. Like many walks in the Port Hills it is far from a wilderness experience, but I was pleasantly surprised how remote some sections felt given you start in the suburbs of Christchurch. Continue reading “Mt Vernon Park Circuit, Christchurch NZ”
A very pleasant short walk in the north-east of Christchurch around the reconstructed Travis Wetland, with native plants & lots of birdlife.
My wife Sophia has worked opposite Travis Wetland in the Christchurch suburb of Burwood for a few months, but this was our first time to visit it. I didn’t expect all that much, but it is in fact a very pleasant stroll. The majority of the area is grassy wetland, but various iconic native plants are planted along the track, many of them labelled. And there are pleasant lakes, lots of birdlife, and a viewing tower so you can get a proper look at the area. Continue reading “Travis Wetland Circuit, Christchurch NZ”
A shortish circuit walk up the glacial landform of Mt Iron (548m), with views in all directions including Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps.
Climbing Mt Iron is a popular circuit walk on the edge of Wanaka. Although there are steep sections it is a reasonably short and straightforward walk through a mix of private and conservation land. There are views in all directions, over Lake Wanaka, farmland, the towns of Wanaka and Albert Town, and various mountains including the Southern Alps. Continue reading “Mt Iron Circuit, Wanaka, Otago NZ”
A pleasant short walk between the town of Reefton and the village of Blacks Point, plus visit a historic power station site.
After doing a couple of excellent walks in Victoria Forest Park (the Klondyke Routes and Mt Haast Route) we took a day off to look around the historic mining town of Reefton. To do so we walked about 2-2.5km into town from our accommodation in the small village of Blacks Point along the Pipeline and Tram Tracks. These made for pleasant walking through mostly native forest with a bit of scrub, with just a short ascent and descent at the start and end. We later did the short Powerhouse Walk, learning about the hydro scheme that powered the southern hemisphere’s first electric street lighting. There’s almost nothing left of this but they are going to build a replica I believe. Continue reading “Pipeline & Tram Tracks plus Powerhouse Walk, Reefton, West Coast NZ”
