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  I grew up in Tasmania in a keen bushwalking family and have vivid memories of many walks especially on Mt Wellington overlooking Hobart as well as the Freycinet Peninsula and in the Mt Field National Park. Although I mainly enjoyed the walks, the memory of overnight camps on rainy nights - the weather in Tasmania is notoriously fickle - tends to cloud the experience. Fifty years later I still enjoy bushwalking but after the rigours of the day the prospect of comfortable accommodation, together with a good meal (and wine) and convivial company, is one to be savoured. Fortunately there are many companies around the world
that offer walking programs, both guided and self-guided, where
my preferences (and undoubtedly many other people’s) are catered
for. These programs can range from multi-day walks from one base
or an A to B trek where accommodation and meals are included and
your baggage, apart from a daypack, is moved for Such programs can be found in all corners of the globe covering some of the most spectacular scenery and walking country. I have chosen five walks to whet the appetite of the energetic and curious mature walker. The walks are all suitable for a reasonably fit person, although it is best if you are a regular walker or have undertaken a lead-up program of walking as you will be required to walk anywhere from 12-25km per day. A good pair or walking boots (not sneakers) is recommended and these should be comfortable and well broken in – blisters from new boots are a real hindrance. Walking boots provide good ankle support especially on tracks that are rocky and uneven. Burgundy, France The route from Auxerre to Avallon in northern Burgundy joins two historic towns with a mixture of walking on trails through vineyards and cherry orchards, along towpaths on smaller rivers such as the Yonne and Cure, and through rolling farmland and a long stretch on a leafy path underneath a canopy of tree cover. Detailed instructions are provided about each day's route. Two nights' accommodation is organised at each stopping point allowing one day to walk between hotels (around 20km) with the second day spent exploring the town or alternatively additional walks are possible in the surrounding countryside. Accommodation in small villages was excellent and our tour included two pre-arranged dinners dinner at a hotel restaurant, superb meals (typically French with lots of rich creamy sauces) sitting out at tables under the stars in the garden. Although most of the walking was on reasonably flat terrain, one day ended with a final steep climb to touristy Vezelay with its UNESCO heritage-listed 12th century Basilica of Sainte Madelaine, perched on top of the hill. Vezelay was one of the important places of pilgrimage on the way to Compostella and climbing up the path from Asquins at the end of a long days' walk I know how the pilgrims felt. We were the only two walkers in our 'group'; on a couple of occasions an extra head may have saved unnecessary detours from incorrect map reading. Bay of Fires, Tasmania From Launceston airport you are driven through the rugged terrain of northeastern Tasmania to Boulder Point at the northern end of Mt William National Park from where you walk, accompanied by your guides, to your overnight camp at Forester Beach. Walking along deserted, pure-white beaches you see many wallabies, whales, dolphins and a myriad of bird life before reaching the architecturally stunning lodge, evocatively described as 'a spear hanging over the beach'. Along the way you pass historic Eddystone Point lighthouse. The lodge, perched on a headland, has been designed to blend with the surrounding landscape. Gourmet meals are carefully prepared for your enjoyment using fresh local produce and accompanied by Tasmanian wines. The third day is spent relaxing round the lodge, collecting shells, trying your skills on a kayak or just watching the local fauna and admiring the variety of flora. The relaxing last day walk takes you to the fishing port of St Helens before a leisurely drive back to Launceston via the Fingal Valley. Daily departures during the season from November to April; maximum group size is 10 people. Able Tasman, New Zealand Less well known is the Abel Tasman National Park in the sunny northern region of the south island with its mix of native rainforest, clear mountain streams, golden beaches and an amazing variety of wildlife. The trail is a pleasant coastal walk, either three or five days, between Kaiteriteri about an hour's bus ride north of the regional centre of Nelson, and Totaranui about a two hour cruise along the coast. The track follows close to the water with plenty of sandy beaches interspersed with granite headlands from which panoramic views along the coast are obtained. There is time for a swim in the clear water and a number of historic sites relating to the early settlers in the area can be explored. There are also a number of historic Maori sites. For the five-day walk, the most popular and recommended, accommodation is two nights each at Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa Bay and Torrent Bay Lodge at Torrent Bay. The second day at each lodge can be spent doing optional walks or just relaxing perhaps indulging in a spot of kayaking or canoeing. Experienced guides accompany the walk and all meals are included at the lodges. Yosemite Sierra Hiker, USA At Kings Canyon the first walk passes by huge stands of sequoia, cedar and pines. Two nights at Wuksachi Lodge with deer grazing around the sleeping quarters. Next day a hike along the river canyon to Mist Falls, old growth forest and cascading streams. In Sequoia National Park to view the General Sherman Tree (the 'world's largest living thing"!) and a hike through Crescent Meadows, lush with wildflowers. The climb on the High Sierra Trail to Moro Rock for breathtaking views is also guaranteed to take the breath away - literally. In Yosemite a stroll through McGurk Meadows is followed by a hike to Taft Point and on to Sentinel Dome for panoramas across to El Capitan and the daring climbers clinging to the rock face. The major hike is the Panorama Trail (about 20km) past cascading waterfalls and with stunning views over the Yosemite Valley. There are a number of easier trails on the valley floor or you can even indulge in some horseback riding. Cinque Terre, Italy It is possible to walk the famous Cinque Terre coastal path between Monterosso and Riomaggiore (about 18 km) in one day but it is better to extend your walk at either end encompassing Levanto to Portovenere. The coastal path is relatively flat although at some of the villages there are flights of ancient steps that cause the heart to beat faster. There are some alternative higher routes but these are definitely for the fitter walker. In places the path is rocky and narrow and in the summer season there are so many walkers it is a bit like Pitt St (you hear an incredible array of languages). From Levanto to Monterosso the path is through woods and scented scrub. For me the most rewarding section of the walk is from Vernazza to Corniglia with spectacular coastal panoramas and the view from the pathway above Vernazza over the famous Round Tower and ruins of its medieval fortifications is very special. The hillsides around Corniglia are covered in vineyards and in the lovely central piazza of the village walkers were enjoying a refreshing drink under the canopy of leaves. Manarola is set in a deep cleft of the coastline, colourful houses on both sides of a narrow street leading down to a small harbour. The houses are painted in hues of red, brown, yellow and green creating a colourful patchwork effect contrasting with the vivid blue of the water. The pathway from Manarola to Riomaggiore is known as "Via dell'Amore" (Lover's Walk). The medieval town of Portovenere is reached via a
path through pine woods before the final dramatic descent to the
colourful harbour with the islands of Palmaria offshore. |
Many companies offer these and other walks, both guided and self-guided. Some walks are often only available for specified start dates - apart from the Yosemite Sierra Hiker the walks described are usually offered with regular (daily, every second day) start dates during the season (some walks not available in winter) so planning to fit in with other parts of an itinerary is easy. All provide accommodation, some meals and arrange for baggage to be moved between hotels. Day packs are all you carry. Take plenty of water, insect repellent, sun cream, a good hat and be prepared to take plenty of photographs. Key contacts: Outdoor Travel Pty Ltd. Auswalk
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Keen
walker ROGER ALLNUTT shares his favourite trekking trails in Europe,
Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
