ECHO Walking Festival has walks for fitness levels
Discovering New Zealand’s natural forestry, bush-land and coastal scenery is only part of the ECHO Walking Festival, but it’s a very good reason to put on your walking shoes and hit the trails.
The organising committee is encouraging everyone to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, to appreciate the attractions of our region, and to keep fit and active.
Showcasing some of our country’s best kept secrets the ECHO Walking Festival, now in its 14th year, celebrates the many walks and treks across eight regions from the bottom of the South Waikato to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula and all areas in between.
Over 50 guided walks are scheduled between April 1st and April 23rd 2017, featuring some of the most popular attractions in the area.
There is something for everyone in the packed programme including a ‘Four Peak Challenge’ - choose to com- plete one, two, three or all of them. Katarakihi (Kauaeranga Valley), Mt Karangahake, Mt Te Aroha and Maungatautari await you!
There is a great variety of shorter low grade walks ideal for beginners through to day long tramps with challenging gradients and stream crossings.
From an hour or so to all day and overnighters ... grade 1 to 5 .
Here is a snippet of just a few of the fantastic experiences on offer:
Karangahake Gorge with lunch and vino along the way
A selection of night adventures and glow worm walks
The first stage of the trail between Tairua and Pauanui Teddy Bears Picnic at Waihi Beach Disc Golf Rapurapu Kauri Track Waikino Arts Trail Stamp & Tramp with maps and clues Over the top from Katikati to Te Aroha via the Tuahu Track
Benson’s Doggie Walk along Waihi Beach Easter Egg Hunt Te Rere I Oturu; the place where Turu took flight
The Festival presents an opportunity to explore new tracks in a group led by a guide who knows the area and has good knowledge of its history. A social occasion for locals and visitors alike, the organised walks enable those with similar interests
from near and far to share a memorable experience, and many regulars of the festival continue to frequent the walks with friends and family.
With the exception of related transport or activity costs, the walks are free, however donations are very welcome and help to cover festival costs. All participants go into the draw to win one of several spot prizes kindly provided by local businesses. Take your camera along with you and snap away.
Capture the spirit of our festival and enter your snaps into the photography competition to win cash.
The ECHO Walking Festival organising committee is urging people to register now for what promises to be a memorable experience. The website has everything you need to know about the walks, and you can register your group or family with the click of a button. See online for programmed walks, more details and to register: www.echowalkfest.org.nz
Rediscover the hidden gems in your area, or venture out to nearby areas with the action-packed ECHO Walking Festival 2017.