Otaki Forks to Queen Elizabeth Park

Friday 25th March 53 km 9.25 hrs

Back to Otaki Forks by the swingbridge to walk out along the road, past the historic stone fences, and through the shady Totara Reserve overhanging the road. Around and into the hills again on Mangaone North Rd, and then onto the Mangaone Walkway. Delayed for a while because of ripe blackberries, then up and over a low saddle, into an open grassy area, and then back into some pleasant bush, all on easy tracks.

More roads down to Waikanae, then onto the walkway following the meandering Waikanae Stream almost all the way to the coast. Then onto the beach at Paraparaumu, with Kapiti Island looming close by, and views of the South Island in the distance. So down the coast, sometimes on the beach, sometimes on the coastal road until I arrived at the north end of Queen Elizabeth Park. A calm sea, minimal wind, and very pleasant walking on what is often a very windswept coastline.