Browsing the superb tramper.co.nz website, I was reminded me of my own trip to the Coromandel Peninsula.
The go-to hike there is The Pinnacles Track, one of our best hikes in the world.
If The Pinnacles were in any other country, it would be a huge destination. In New Zealand, though, it tends to be overshadowed by many far more famous treks.
I loved learning about the history of logging Kauri trees. Unbelievably, loggers toppled them over cliffs — and picked up the pieces below. Eventually they built an outrageous rail track to try to lower the massive logs from the Pinnacles. You see all this on the hike.
Most people are even more impressed by the Pinnacles alpine hut. It is astonishing! The best in New Zealand and one of the most impressive in the world. We spent a lot of time watching possums from the expansive balcony.
The Pinnacles is ideal as a weekend trip with one night at the top.
. . . stone steps, wide enough for packhorses, dominate most of the track, crossing the river three times as it rises steeply to logging / power camp at the ‘near’ top. I warn you now – the stone stairs are great to look at but hard on the legs …
Once at the hut, you can leave your pack and climb the Pinnacles proper.
Whilst not dangerous, it isn’t for the faint hearted. It’ll only take 45 minutes to get to the top, but you go up some steep rock faces, and several ladders before negotiating a large boulder, to get to the narrow ledge at the top. From the top, you can see both sides of the Coromandel – Tairua / Pauanui on one side, The firth of Thames and Hauraki Plains on the other. The view is breathtaking.
The Pinnacles Track – tramper.co.nz
Pinnacles photos on flickr – BruceandRobyn – waiting for the clouds to clear
besthike.com 