Photo: Diana Ward
The walks in Waitākere Ranges Regional Park draw the crowds for good reasons: sweeping views, well-formed tracks and proximity to Piha.
This walk combines Mercer Bay Loop (2.2km) with Comans and Ahu Ahu tracks. It offers a variety of terrain and vegetation, a taste of the area’s rich history and the biggest drawcard: breathtaking views from the precipitous cliffs.
Missed yesterday’s feature? Use our guide to Aotearoa’s best private walks to help you choose the perfect experience for you.
Quiz
Which national park was established in 1929?
A - Fiordland
B - Tongariro
C - Arthur's Pass
D - Abel Tasman
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
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Recipe: chicken tabbouleh
This recipe is best made ahead and will make a quick and delicious cold trail lunch. It is equally as good reheated as comforting hut meal.
Profile
Cook time: 40 min
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
1 cup bulgur or burghul wheat
500g chicken tenderloins or breasts thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic crushed (or 2tsp freshly crushed garlic in a jar)
2/3 cup lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
250g cherry tomatoes, halved (or 6- 12 sun dried tomatoes)
3 onions, coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh parley
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
Method
Put the bulgur in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Stand for 15min then drain using a sieve or squeeze out surplus water with hands.
Combine uncooked chicken, garlic, 2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1 Tbsp olive oil in a medium bowl and leave to stand for 5min.
Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large fry pan or wok, stir fry chicken mixture, browning chicken and cooking it through. Remove from pan, cover to keep warm.
Put bulgur wheat with tomato and onion in the same fry pan or wok. Stir fry until onion is soft. Remove pan from heat.
Add the chicken mixture, parsley, mint, remaining lemon juice and oil. Toss gently to combine. Serve hot, or serve cold the next day for a taste trail lunch.
Poll results
On Monday we asked Wilderness Daily readers which walk in Tongariro National Park is top on your bucket list?
The results are in: 49% of your said Round the Mountain Track, 26% of you said Tongariro Northern Circuit, 17% said Tongariro Alpine Crossing and 8% said another track not listed.
Here is a selection of comments from our readers:
[Round the Mountain Track] “Have done the Crossing several times and also the Northern Circuit. Love the Tama Lakes, done it a few times. Recently took the grandchildren to Taranaki Falls carrying their own day packs and enjoying a cook up of noodles for lunch.”
[Tongariro Northern Circuit] “One of my last great walks to complete next year.”
[Other] “Climbing the major peaks of Ruapehu.”
Have a question you want to ask your fellow Wilderness Daily readers? Send us an email at [email protected]
Quiz answer
Answer C: Arthur's Pass National Park
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