As a follow up to the March 21st 2013 Trailblazing Trek story in the Fiordland Advocate About the Manapouri Te Anau Walkway:
On Sunday 24th In down-pouring of Rain a group of Hearty Trampers Met at the Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn to Try out the Manapouri Section of the Fiordland Trails Trusts Old Cycle Survey Route Linking the Kepler Track Rainbow Reach Trailhead to the Township of Manapouri.
A Group of 12 set off to Post Office Rock Point off Supply Bay, Lake Manapouri from the first bend on the Supply Bay Road for what was to be a True Rain Forest Experience. After 45 Minutes the Point was Reached and they Paused for a view of the Grey Rain Storm Rolling across the Lake. And the wild forest and Manuka/ Podocarp Glades on the track to Fraser’s Beach where passed at a steady Clip with the Spectre of the Manapouri Pub driving them on, there was brief Pausing at Kemper’s Grove below View Hill, the Annie Harris Tree, the Thong Tree, and the Orang-utan Tree as well as a diversion at the Briar Patch for some ripe Blackberries.
We where all a bit “soaked” by the time we reached the Pub where 6 of our number where given Hot Nibbles and Drinks for some reflection time.
It was fair to say that this route is worthy of upgrading if not to a Cycle Trail maybe a Family Walking Trail and it covers a wonderful variety of Forest settings in a short distance with Half a dozen scenic diversions on the way.
It is hoped that The Trails Trust can show off more of the special places they have discovered in Our Back Yard with Further Public Outings such as this.
And thanks to those Locals who have kept the trail up since the First Public Walk Through Day in August 2007.
Aaron Nicholson
Fiordland Trails Trust
