MAKING TRACKS with Scroggin
Suppose you are looking for a one-day walking challenge this summer, why not tackle the Atene Skyline Track, a six to eight-hour round trip covering some 16km.
Starting from the upriver end, the track climbs from the Whanganui River Rd, follows an old road line and then goes through lowland bush to a shelter at the halfway point with a toilet and drinking water — the only water source on the track. The second half of the loop passes two trigs before descending steeply back to the Whanganui River Rd and the 2km road walk back to your vehicle.
If you want a shorter challenge, try the two-hour return walk to the Atene viewpoint which overlooks the large hill, Puketapu, and the old river bed around it. The striking topography of the Atene area allows the track to traverse a wide range of forest communities. Birdlife includes the vocal shining and long-tailed cuckoos.
A feature of the Whanganui Tramping Club’s weekend programme for February is a five-day walk in the Tararua range from behind Shannon to near Waikanae. There are also five-day trips and an out-of-town bike trip.
