Walk the line ... and bridges

Wairarapa people who believe their boots are made for walking have another chance to prove it on May 5 when Woodville Lions stage a Manawatu Gorge Track and Tunnel Walk.

The walk will be the 19th consecutive yearly walk along 8km of railway line running east to west through the gorge, a walk that offers those who take part in it a rare chance to see the gorge from a different perspective.

Woodville Lions is aiming to raise $10,000 from this year's walk for Arohanui Hospice for buying equipment for meeting the needs of the patients.

Walkers pay $25 for the privilege of going on the walk, which takes around two to two-and-a-half hours to complete and which over the years has proved a drawcard not only for locals, but for people from throughout the country and overseas.

It incorporates walking a working line with 15 bridges to cross and two long railway tunnels to negotiate and is an excellent chance to view the Te Apiti wind farm and the Manawatu Gorge slip, the latter being one of never-before-seen proportions.

The walk is a flat walk and therefore is able to be comfortably handled by older people.

In past years it has not been at all uncommon to see grandparents walking with their grandchildren although the minimum age for the walk is 10 years.

Lions organisers say that moderate fitness and sturdy footwear are essential and walkers should take a strong torch for use in the tunnels, which are pitch dark.

The marshalling area for the walk is the Ashhurst Domain at the western end of the gorge.

Walkers are then bussed to the lime works at the Woodville end where the walk begins.

At the end of the walk there is a user-pays barbecue and drinks available in the car park.

Tickets can be bought from the Tararua i-Site in Woodville, by phone or by emailing info@tararua.com as there are no gate sales on the day.