Former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown has gone from campaigning for the Green party to finalising arrangements for the Wairarapa Walking Festival.
This is the third year the festival has been held, with two of the 25 walks already fully booked.
The 10-day event, which includes walks across all three Wairarapa districts, starts on 10 November, and has funding from South Wairarapa District Council, Masterton District Council, and Carterton District Council.
Wade-Brown is the event’s founder, and this year is one of two co-convenors.
Between 400 and 500 people attended last year, and good attendance is expected again this year.
Wade-Brown said she is delighted with the uptake so far, and noted there will be walking options for all ages and stages, including a half-kilometre easy evening walk to a local pizza place in Carterton.
“You can even do that one in heels,” she said.
People wanting to get into the mountains won’t be disappointed, either.
“We do a couple of reasonably serious tramps,” Wade-Brown said, with the most challenging option being a day tramp in the Tararua Ranges from the Mangatarere Valley road-end.
Members of the South Wairarapa Tramping Club will lead this tramp on November 19. The route will cross the upper reaches of the Mangatarere River, winding through mixed beech and podocarp forest to a high point at 810m. People can expect views across to the peaks of Taratahi/Holdsworth, Cone and others.
Wade-Brown recommends walkers bring snacks, lunch, water, walking boots, and a jacket for this one, along with the expectation of some steep and muddy sections.
Walks are not weather-dependent.
“I think a few people are waiting for the weather report [to register], but walks will go ahead unless a severe weather warning is issued,” she said.
A pilot of nine walks was held in March 2021, but only in Carterton District, and next year’s offerings are already under discussion.
“People are coming up with new ideas all the time. Wairarapa is a wonderful place to hold a walking festival,” Wade-Brown said.
In November last year, 42 walks were held across Wairarapa.
Meanwhile, this year’s offering includes Urban Heritage, Māori Heritage, coastal and farm walks, tramping, enjoying local produce, walks with dogs, and nature conservation.
All walks will be accompanied by a knowledgeable leader and first aider.
The aim of the festival is to promote walking in the region as an intergenerational activity with positive physical and mental benefits.
“It is a great way for people to explore and enjoy nature,” Wade-Brown said.
The festival also aims to raise the profile of local walks locals can enjoy year-round, with iconic walks attracting visitors from further afield.
Most walks are free or low-cost, but registration is essential. For more information, see facebook.com/wairarapawalkingfestival
-NZLDR
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