Dragon Spell to Bushcamp
30.1 miles
Mile 294.3
Like most mornings in this humid country, I woke to find my tent wet with condensation. By 7:00 AM I was back on trail making my way along a foggy forest track.
Before long I left the forest for a cross country trek through private farmland.
A few miles later I joined a coastal track that brought me down to a beach.
The route followed the ocean for about an hour before heading up a set of stairs inland to the town of Mangawhai Heads.
I stopped at the Four Square to grab some snacks before continuing on down the road.
An hour later I passed through the town of Mangawhai Village without stopping, pushing on to bang out another 5 miles on roads before arriving at Te Arai Beach.
I spent the next six miles walking along the ocean, enjoying the cool breeze whipping off it’s waves.
The beach walk ended when I reached Pakiri Beach Holiday Park, where I stopped to top off my bottles before continuing.
After a brief road walk I reached a track that took me up into the grass covered hillside.
Just past 7:00 PM I found a grassy knoll with enough flattish space for my tent.
The costal vista from my hilltop camp offered excellent entertainment as I ate dinner.
Cheers!
So gorgeous. What a nice hike.
It’s incredible!