15 of us gathered at the Karamatura Track carpark.  For myself, it was good to be back and walking again after a long absence and meeting up with old friends and new.  This track has recently reopened within the Waitakere Ranges and was one I hadn’t done before so was eager to do. Had heard so much about the dreaded killer 1200 steps on the way up so was a little apprehensive as to whether I should be doing it as the first walk of the season.  But having just completed the Peach Cove & Te Whara walk at Whangarei Heads with over 3000 steps, I thought: why not give it a go? 

After hugs and greetings, we headed away past the pou whenua and behind this sits the path which takes you up to the new kauri cleaning station.  A lovely gravel track starts but before long you reach the short track to the waterfall and then back on the trail you will be met with stairs and more stairs, and just when you thought you had finished, you will be rewarded with more than 1200 of them!  Take a moment to appreciate the work that must have gone into those stairs given the gradient. 

When you do finish climbing the majority of the stairs there is a little area where you can sit and take a moment to reflect amongst the trees.  From here the trail flattens slightly and whilst there are a few boardwalks to cross, it isn’t long before you come out at the Donald McLean carpark and if you head straight to the other side, you will see the new cleaning station. 

From here it is a steady incline up to the two Mt McLean lookouts, where you will be rewarded with breath-taking views.  It was at this point that we stopped for our lunch and photo time, before retracing our steps back to the carpark.  I was impressed with the ever-changing bush – beautiful stands of rimu as well as kauri and a wide variety of natives.  Very happy to be back at the carpark after a wonderful walk with great ladies.  Many thanks to Kay for allowing me to do this amazing tramp.

Carol W.

Click here to see Carol’s photos