JohnDaly TakeAWalk wrote:
The one thing I love about this forum is that everyone gets to express an opinion.
I still believe the Hume and Hovell Track is worth doing - but we belong to that relatively small group of bushwalkers who enjoy the preparation, planning and execution of long distance walks. It’s not for everyone but if you have ever completed one of the classic long-distance walks in Australia, you will have to agree.
The Hume and Hovell does follow roads a lot, but as ‘rcafin’ said, ‘what do you expect’. By the way, there is a fair amount of service road walking along the Nadgee Wilderness Walk north of Nadgee Lake, and the Nadgee Wilderness Circuit follows service trails almost all the way. And, although the Nadgee Wilderness Area is a fabulous walking destination, it can’t possibly be compared to the K2K, and the last time were walking in that area I distinctly remember following a service trail from near Taros Ladder to the end of the walk.
The Hume and Hovell Track is an historic route, roughly following the route the explorers used and any long-distance walker interested in our history will appreciate the original effort required to travel the section from Yass to Albury.
Walkers also get to appreciate the enormity of effort required to create Burrinjuck Dam, the headwater storage of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Then there’s Island Bend where Ken Warby broke the world water speed record in 1978 – a record that still stands.
You are almost guaranteed to spot a platypus at Paddys River Dam, and then you walk past relics of the Burra Goldfields.
The views as you contour along the hillsides between Horse Creek and Lankeys Creek are stunning. There are several sections between Samuel Bollard campsite and the Hovell Tree where you need to follow bitumen roads, but you are heading into a fairly large city.
The Hume and Hovell doesn’t have the formal structure of the Bibbulmun Track (This true Australian classic walk follows gravel roads and ex railway routes for much of its length), it doesn’t have the wilderness experience of the Australian Alps Walking Track (Australia’s best long distance walk also follows service roads and 4WD tracks for much of its length) it doesn’t have the isolation and rugged beauty of the Larapinta Trail (This world class walk also follows the occasional service trail) and it doesn’t’ have the variety of the Great South West Walk (This route also uses service trails and roads for much of its length).
But it is worth doing – if you are up to the challenge of organising a 435km walk over 22 days. And based on the feedback we have received from people who have done the walk (or sections of the walk) using our track notes – we are not alone!
I agree with Roger – if this is a bit tame, try walking the AAWT. For a bit of inspiration, try reading ‘The Never Ending Bushwalk’ the story of Steve Tremont’s 375 day walk along the spine of the Great Dividing Range from Dergholm in Western Victoria to the tip of Cape York.
Coincidently, we have just finished proving that the Tops to Myall Heritage Walk is still doable, despite what people have been saying about private property closures and the impossibility of crossing the new highway safely. It runs 220 km from Barrington Tops to Myall Lakes. And surprise, surprise, it follows old and current service trails for most of its length. We’ll include the track notes, sketch maps and gradient profiles in our next book, Take A Walk in Northern NSW.
Cheers
Sorry John, there's always someone to pick a point, however Ken Warby broke the water speed record on Blowering Dam (317.6mph). I was lucky enough to be there. And in Tumut, we have little to brag about!
Statistics: Posted by charlie59 — Sat 14 Sep, 2013 2:16 pm