This trail started by taking us into the lush forests where it felt like a magical fairyland. The trees, moss and streams were alive and it was a spectacular sight. The day was misty, with light rainfall, so the birds and insects were in their element! It was a challenging and tough trail with steep elevations and descents and was muddy underfoot.

We saw the Cathedral falls which can only be described as magnificent! Next was the Chockstone falls, which was our rest stop for lunch against the backdrop of this stunning waterfall.

After this we made a steep ascent where we finally reached the top of the mountain. Our last 6 km was flat which was a nice reprieve from the climbing and clambering from the ascent previously. We got to Stables Hut where we settled in for the night, keeping warm from the icy weather.

This trail required sturdy shoes with excellent grip due to the slippery and muddy ground. As always our Merrells did the trick. A hiking stick gave us good support while navigating some of the terrain. A rain proof jacket gave us protection and warmth from the cold weather. Electrolytes were essential due to the long and challenging route.