Waitahinga Trails is a Whanganui walking jewel

Wanganui Tramping Club work party members, Trish Hopkins (left), Cherry Channon and Bruce Thomas give the Waitahinga Trails a spring trim earlier this month. Photo / supplied.

Just a half-hour drive from Whanganui is a walking jewel that is becoming increasingly appreciated — the Waitahinga Trails. This is a Wanganui Tramping Club initiative realising the vision of member Basil Hooper. The club has cleared and cut tracks for various fitness walking experiences after getting the Whanganui District Council's blessing to create and maintain them for public use as a community project to mark their 60-year anniversary in December 2012.

This sign at the entrance to the Waitahinga Trails outlines the various walking options. Photo / supplied.

Most of the trails are under a native forest canopy, a combination of the original forest including tawa and rimu and old regeneration dating back to when the land was purchased by the council in 1903. The two main trails, Harry's Ridge and Tom's Ridge, commemorate deceased club members Harry Stimpson and Tom Luff, stalwarts of exploring backcountry areas and inspiring leaders to club members.

The trails are reached 11km beyond Bushy Park. There is also an active quarry area there which is out of bounds to the public. The trails are closed every Tuesday and all July and August for animal control. Hunting is by permit only.

The club's weekend programme for October is:
2-3 Sat-Sun, Iron Gate Hut, leader Dave
2 or 3 Sat or Sun, Tama Lakes, leader Garry
9-10 Sat-Sun, Oturere Hut, leader Tracey
9 or 10 Sat or Sun, Ridge Road, leader Graham
16 or 17 Sat or Sun, Mangaturuturu Hut, leader Bruce
22-26 Fri-Tues, Tararua circuit, leader Shane
23, 24 or 25 Sat, Sun or Mon, McIntyre's Hut, leader Terry
30 Sat, Pukeiti Gardens, leader Sandra

Make all inquiries about trips to Barbara, phone 348 9149, or Dorothy, phone 345 7039.
The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with a longer walk on October 14 and 28 for the TT1 group and shorter ones for the TT2 group on October 7 and 21. The Wednesday contact is Victoria, phone 027 6888 190, and the Thursday contact is Anne, phone 345 4776. Call both by 6pm the night before for day trips.

To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For further information contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.whanganuitramping.org.nz

The next club meeting on Tuesday, October 5 at 7.30pm in the Veandercross Lounge at the Whanganui Racecourse, will feature the club's annual photo competition (held over from last month). All welcome.