Mount Peel. Geraldine, NZ
January 2016
There are many walks in the area. Two that can be completed in an afternoon are Emily Falls Walk and Dennistoun Bush Walk. Both very different.
After driving through the small (tiny) picturesque village of Peel Forest at the base of the Southern Alps foothills turn left onto Blandswood Road and then at the end of the seal turn right onto Lookout Road and onto the car park.
Emily Falls Walk. Lovely bush and listen to the bellbirds singing.
Walking up the road to the track entrance the air is filled with the ringing sound of the Bellbirds singing in the trees. Starting on the track is easy but soon winds its way upwards for about 15 minutes to the top of the ridge. On the way large 'old man' Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) hang over the track and at this time of year are in full flower. Many ferns line the walking track along the way.
At the top of the ridge the track divides to go to Emily Falls or Rata Falls.
Take the Emily Falls track to the stream and walk up stream for about 100 metres. With little recent rain you wont get your feet wet with gentle and careful rock hopping rejoin the track to the Falls. Lovely bush area and nice stands of South Island Kowhai (Sophora microphylla).
Return the same way and return time about 1.30 hours to 2 hours.
There are many walks in the area. Two that can be completed in an afternoon are Emily Falls Walk and Dennistoun Bush Walk. Both very different.
After driving through the small (tiny) picturesque village of Peel Forest at the base of the Southern Alps foothills turn left onto Blandswood Road and then at the end of the seal turn right onto Lookout Road and onto the car park.
Emily Falls Walk. Lovely bush and listen to the bellbirds singing.
Walking up the road to the track entrance the air is filled with the ringing sound of the Bellbirds singing in the trees. Starting on the track is easy but soon winds its way upwards for about 15 minutes to the top of the ridge. On the way large 'old man' Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) hang over the track and at this time of year are in full flower. Many ferns line the walking track along the way.
At the top of the ridge the track divides to go to Emily Falls or Rata Falls.
Take the Emily Falls track to the stream and walk up stream for about 100 metres. With little recent rain you wont get your feet wet with gentle and careful rock hopping rejoin the track to the Falls. Lovely bush area and nice stands of South Island Kowhai (Sophora microphylla).
Return the same way and return time about 1.30 hours to 2 hours.
Dennistoun Bush Walk. Spectacular 1000 year old trees.
This excellent flat bush walk is found on Blandwood Road before heading up to the Emily Falls car park. A large sign on the side of the rad with a nice mown grease picnic area makes it easy to spot.
A wide waking track leaves the panic area and forks into a circular track around the area.
Within a few metres of entering the track gigantic Totara, Kahikatea and Matai trees are encountered. These extra large trees are remnants for the extensive logging carried out in the 1800’s. Now about 1000 years old these are spectacular in size, form and structure. Not just one or two but many trees are scattered through this reserve.
Apart from the walk and trees take a very short side trip to the saw pit area and imagine to work that early foresters undertook to fell these large trees and hand mill them into usable timber.
Enjoy the walk amongst these giants, enjoy the singing of the bellbirds.
This excellent flat bush walk is found on Blandwood Road before heading up to the Emily Falls car park. A large sign on the side of the rad with a nice mown grease picnic area makes it easy to spot.
A wide waking track leaves the panic area and forks into a circular track around the area.
Within a few metres of entering the track gigantic Totara, Kahikatea and Matai trees are encountered. These extra large trees are remnants for the extensive logging carried out in the 1800’s. Now about 1000 years old these are spectacular in size, form and structure. Not just one or two but many trees are scattered through this reserve.
Apart from the walk and trees take a very short side trip to the saw pit area and imagine to work that early foresters undertook to fell these large trees and hand mill them into usable timber.
Enjoy the walk amongst these giants, enjoy the singing of the bellbirds.