Hillary clan stamps legacy on west coast

Peter Hillary, with Alexander, 13, Lily, 9, and dog Piha at the Tasman lookout. Photo / Dean Purcell

It may be a stretch for the average punter to scale Everest or reach the South Pole, but admirers of New Zealand's great adventurer can now "do the Hillary" by trekking along Auckland's rugged West Coast.

A new four-day walking track through the Waitakere Ranges and along Karekare, Piha, Anawhata, Te Henga (Bethell's) and Muriwai beaches has been named the Hillary Trail.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey said he felt it fitting to attach the name to the trail as five generations of the Hillary family have enjoyed and explored the Piha coastline since the 1920s.

The Hillary family has always been passionate about creating a trail along the untamed coastline.

In his 1982 history of neighbouring beach Anawhata, Sir Ed's father-in-law Jim Rose wrote: "My family look forward to the time when we will be able to walk from Huia to Muriwai on public walking tracks like the old-time Maori could do."

Yesterday Peter Hillary, his children Alexander, Lily and the family dog Piha climbed to Tasman lookout, which overlooks the beaches Sir Ed loved, for a ceremony to announce the name of the trail. Mr Hillary said Sir Ed would go to Piha and Anawhata to dream up expeditions and prepare for them.

When Sir Ed scaled Mt Everest a telegram sent to his wife went through the Piha post office.

And when Peter Hillary's mother Louise and sister Belinda were killed in 1975 the rugged coast worked "like a balm" to heal the family's broken hearts.

Councillor Sandra Coney, chairwoman of the ARC's parks and heritage committee, said the trail would encourage the average Kiwi into the wilderness, which is what Sir Ed was all about.

Starting at Arataki Visitor Centre, the trail crosses three regional parks and will be linked to public transport.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee said it was hoped the trail would eventually be extended towards the Kaipara Harbour, covering 100km.

* The Hillary trail

70km route that offers tracks for a moderate level of fitness and ability, starting at the Arataki Visitor Centre and running through the Waitakere Ranges and along Auckland's West Coast beaches.

Runs through the Karamatura, Pararaha and Craw Homestead campgrounds.

Bookings will be available through the Auckland Regional Council later in the year.