Skyline Walk
Name |
Skyline Walk |
Location |
Murchison |
Co-ordinates |
1542971 5372228 |
Alternative co-ordinates |
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Configuration |
Linear |
Distance |
1.5 km |
Status |
Off-leash |
Grade |
Moderate |
Access |
Park in the parking area at the junction with Matakitaki West Bank Road, on the far side of the river. |
Description |
This walk is short but offers a bit of challenge, which is welcome in an area with a dearth of good dsog-friendly walks. The track starts in a small carpark, and zig-zags up through pleasant semi-natural bush to the ridge above, offering some good, glimpsed views of the surrounding land. On the ridge, there's the opportunity to extend the walk along some forest tracks which may, or may not be, open to the public. |
Connecting tracks |
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Further information |
Murchison is one of those small, rather nondescript places that everyone pauses at for a coffee or a break in their journey, but where almost no-one ever stops. That's how it seems to me, anyway. But in reality, it's the centre of an interesting area of countryside, providing access to some exciting hill walks. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these are off limits for dogs.
So if you are in Murchison, with a dog, you're likely just to be pausing on your way through. As well as the two, short 'tree walks' down in towen, there's one longer walk available - the Skyline Walk. This starts on the west side of the new river bridge, on SH6. Called the Skyline Walkway (see map), this zig-zags from ther parking area up through a band of deciduous woodland and then native bush before opening out as it approaches the ridgeline. It's a steady climb for the first half of the way but the path is leafy and there are steps on the steepest section, and as the path levels out there are good views of the surrounding area. From the ridgeline, a track leads off left and right and provides opportunities for a longer walk at the boundary between the native bush and what was (at last sighting) cut-over pine forest. In principle, this track is within the scenic reserve, so is open to the public, but quite where the limits of public access are may not be evident on the ground. So tread carefully, and keep the dog under control.
So if you are in Murchison, with a dog, you're likely just to be pausing on your way through. As well as the two, short 'tree walks' down in towen, there's one longer walk available - the Skyline Walk. This starts on the west side of the new river bridge, on SH6. Called the Skyline Walkway (see map), this zig-zags from ther parking area up through a band of deciduous woodland and then native bush before opening out as it approaches the ridgeline. It's a steady climb for the first half of the way but the path is leafy and there are steps on the steepest section, and as the path levels out there are good views of the surrounding area. From the ridgeline, a track leads off left and right and provides opportunities for a longer walk at the boundary between the native bush and what was (at last sighting) cut-over pine forest. In principle, this track is within the scenic reserve, so is open to the public, but quite where the limits of public access are may not be evident on the ground. So tread carefully, and keep the dog under control.