Photo: FileExpected to be booked out quickly, bookings for the 2021-22 Great Walk season will start with Milford, Heaphy and Rakiura tracks at 9.30am tomorrow. “Our advice is to get online when bookings open and have a couple of back-up dates if you aren’t able to secure your first choice. Rather than just going for the usual suspects, like the Milford or Routeburn, consider the full network of Great Walks which are all incredible in differing ways.”The Great Walks Season runs from September to April for the southern Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn and Kepler) and Tongariro Northern Circuit. Outside the Great Walks Season these four walks should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people as facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional hazards such as ice underfoot, river crossings and avalanches, Mr Taylor said. “Our booking data showed that 75% more Kiwis undertook a Great Walk over summer (1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021) compared to the previous year.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 14, 2021 04:07 UTC