New trail opens on Ed Hillary anniversary

The Hillary Trail - a new four day walking track on Auckland’s west coast honouring Sir Edmund Hillary - has been officially opened on the second anniversary of the New Zealand hero’s death.

Members of the Hillary family were first to step out on the 70km trail which covers the lush rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges and rugged coastal paths of Auckland’s west coast beaches from Piha to Te Henga / Bethell’s.

The dramatic west coast region was a particular favourite of Sir Ed, and has a long association with the Hillary family.

Hillary family
Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund, led a group of family members and enthusiasts over part of the Waitakere section of the newly formed trail, while daughter Sarah Hillary ran the 32km track from Muriwai to Piha.

After the 5h 35m run Sarah Hillary said the trail was "fabulous" with "glorious wild and beautiful scenery".

"It’s an honour to have the Hillary name associated with this trail and we hope more people will get out to enjoy it," Sarah Hillary said.

Peter Hillary said the linking of sections in three regional parks to make the trail had achieved a dream of his grandfather Jim Rose who introduced the family to holidays at remote Whites Beach, between Piha and Anawhata.

"It’s where my father went to prepare for his expeditions. He would march the black sands of Piha, attack the rocks at the southern end and return to Anawhata," he said.

Official opening
New Zealand’s Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand attended the official opening which included the unveiling of a trail marker post which was draped in Sir Edmund’s favourite Nepalese rug.

Auckland Regional Council (ARC) chairman Mike Lee said it was hoped that the four-day Hillary trail would be extended a further 50km north along the coast to South Kaipara Head to take in the new Te Rau Puriri Regional Park.

The ARC website offers trampers advice and information about the trail including what to expect.

The four day / three night hike is classed as a challenging, wilderness adventure designed to introduce "properly prepared" families and young people to the joys of overnight camping.

Challenging hike
The Hillary Trail passes through a wide range of environments - regenerating rainforest, stands of mature kauri trees, coastal forest, rocky shores and black-sand beaches - and offers the added element of strong history with heritage areas connected with Te Kawerau a Maki and the decades of kauri logging.

The trail will be open all year round, but will be more demanding during winter when cool weather and muddy conditions slow progress.

The track covers a variety of surfaces and is steep in parts so ARC staff say the fitter trampers are, the more they will enjoy the experience.

There are unbridged streams to cross, and trampers will walk up to 27km a day to complete the trail.

Arataki Visitor Centre in the Waitakere ranges is the official gateway to the Hillary Trail and offers maps, help and information about the route.