My first look at the Northern Forest in East Harbour Regional Park
After exploring Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park, I decided to visit the Northern Forest section of this vast park. My aim was to get a better feel for the landscape and identify areas I might return to for some future bush bashing.
I parked at Lees Grove and began climbing the Lees Grove Track. Within minutes I was surrounded by beautiful native forest, and I was pleasantly surprised by just how attractive the area was. The track was fairly steep but zigzagged steadily up the hillside, with occasional views back towards suburban Wainuiomata.
Eventually I reached the top and joined the Rata Ridge Track. I headed towards the Mount Lowry trig, then continued north while considering two options: carrying on towards the Wainuiomata Hill Lookout, or turning back and finding a route down towards the Stanley Street Track.
While I was deciding, a mountain biker came along the ridge and I took a photo of him. He stopped, and I asked whether I could use the photograph on my website. He then told me about a nearby spot close to the Wainuiomata Hill lookout that had a bench seat and a particularly good view. After a good conversation we parted ways, I decided instead to continue towards Stanley Street. Along the way, I studied the bush below the ridge, looking for promising areas to explore off-track on a future visit.
There were many fallen trees along the route, probably brought down by the strong winds Wellington had experienced recently. In contrast, the weather that day was superb, as it had been for much of the week.
I eventually reached a sign pointing towards Fern Gully Track. The name sounded appealing, so I followed it. Before joining the track, I caught several views of Coast Road and a large property below the hillside. Once on Fern Gully Track, I was impressed by its condition. Much of it was bench-cut into the slope, with a layer of fine gravel providing good grip underfoot. The track was well named, passing through some of the finest fern-filled forest I had seen in a long time.
I eventually reached the bottom of the hillside and emerged at Gardiner Grove, only a short walk from where I had parked at Lees Grove. The Lees Grove and Fern Gully Track loop is a highly enjoyable walk and one I strongly recommend.
