Tramping trail named in Sir Ed's honour

Sir Edmund Hillary. Photo / Supplied

A four-day walk along Auckland's west coast has been named in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary.

The Hillary trail, which will open on January 11 next year, begins at the gateway to the Waitakere Ranges and takes trampers along the west coast to Muriwai.

It connects up an existing network of tracks, and includes back country campsites.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Michael Lee said he was delighted that Sir Edmund's family had granted the use of the Hillary name.

"The Hillary Trail conveys a sense of adventure and a focus on youth in the wilderness, which is just what we wanted to achieve when we began work on this concept."

Sir Edmund's son Peter Hillary said he was delighted his father's name was to be recognised on Auckland's west coast.

"Auckland's wild west coast is one of the jewels of the region - breathtaking, invigorating and one of the country's most picturesque coastlines.

"As a family we were raised on weekend adventures out here and we are delighted that this trail will bear our father's name."

- NZPA