Hidden falls a hike to remember
At the end of the Washpen Falls track is a guest book filled with stories of couples from around the world who got engaged on the route.
Something about the panoramic views of the Canterbury Plains, trickling waterfalls and bush and birdlife appear to make it an enticing spot for couples to commit to being together forever.
Washpen Falls Track starts at the Old Washpen Falls Woolshed, on Washpen Rd in Windwhistle, Darfield, just over one hour from Christchurch.
Situated on a high country working sheep, cattle and deer farm in Malvern Hills, the walk is a loop track and costs $10 for the upkeep of the walking paths, a track guide with 23 points of interest including caves, native plants, birds and a traditional campsite, and the use of walking sticks. It is walkable all year round, but is not suitable for prams or dogs.
My flatmate and I followed a gravel road to the start of the track and headed off through gentle track in the volcanic canyon reserve.
Keen visitors in both summer and winter, we had seen the track both bathed in sunlight and sheltered under the shade of the towering trees, and in winter when frozen icicles dripped off the leaves and the track was blanketed in white slush.
On this occasion, the first landmark we spotted was a lava boulder, which the booklet said was blown there 89 million years ago when the hills were formed in a volcanic eruption and was buried until glaciers melted during the ice age.
Stairs and boardwalks have been built by the landowners on some sections of the track and, after a short, sharp climb, we reach the top of the ridge. The tussock-covered peak offered views across the Canterbury Plains and the Rakaia River, an ideal spot for a break and some photos on a calm day.
Further downhill is the falls, at the headwaters of Washpen Creek. More adventurous visitors plunged into the water for a photo with the falls but we took the easy way out, clambering along a rocky path to keep our feet dry.
After a quick photo shoot, we followed the path to a rest spot near the end of the track, the perfect picnic spot with sheltered tables bordering a moss-covered Stone Lake.
A guest book with entries from visitors as far as China, Germany and South America praised the native bush and chance to see ‘‘clean, green’’ New Zealand, with stories boasting of family trips, picnics and engagements on the route.
Set in thick native bush, the area could also be hired as an outdoor function venue for catered events and a rowboat tied to the side was available for those brave enough to risk falling in. After about two hours, we circled back around to the end of the track and emerged at the car.