Karangahake Gorge

Hello world, 

On my last of three days off, I went for a short hike in the Karangahake Gorge: the Window Walk and the stroll through the old railway tunnel. Karangahake Gorge is an old gold mining area, and some of the old structures, buildings, and infrastructure can still be found along this walk. 

What’s special about this walk is that there are hewn windows in the rock, allowing workers to bring a bit of light and air into the tunnels. Additionally, you can still see the old tracks where the transport carts were pushed from the mines to the processing plant. 

Especially for those who have seen The Walking Dead: When I saw these tracks in the middle of nowhere, slowly being reclaimed by nature, I couldn't help but think of the series and felt a bit like I was on an exploration mission to discover where these tracks came from. They led me into the old mine shafts, where the windows were also fun to explore. 

The entire path was originally a loop, but part of it is closed due to a landslide and corresponding work, so I had to go back the same way I came. 

As an excursion at the end, I tagged on a big round through the old railway tunnel. This was for the big locomotive that transported gold and materials to the next towns and banks. The tunnel is kilometers long, and the only thing the hiker hears in the tunnel is the water slowly running and dripping from the ceiling and the walls. It’s an incredible feeling and an experience unlike any I’ve had before. 

After the hike, it was back home for a nice hot shower and a quiet evening after so many adventures. 

In my next post, I will share about a wonderful day in Auckland with friends. 

Your Britta