Hollyford Track, Hiking trail in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
The Hollyford Track is a hiking trail in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, running from the Darran Mountains along the Hollyford River all the way to Martins Bay on the Tasman Sea coast. The path stays low the entire way, passing through thick rainforest with river crossings and stretches of open wetland near the coast.
In the late 19th century, European settlers attempted to establish a permanent community at Martins Bay, founding a settlement called Jamestown near the mouth of the Hollyford River. The colony did not survive, and the site was abandoned within a few years, leaving behind ruins that walkers still pass today.
The trail passes through land that holds deep meaning for the Ngāi Tahu people, the local Māori iwi of the South Island. At Martins Bay, traces of former Māori settlement are still visible along the shore.
Most walkers start from the road end near the Hollyford Valley and head toward the coast, though the route can be done in either direction. Rain gear is a must at any time of year, since the Fiordland region receives heavy rainfall and conditions can change quickly.
Unlike most trails in the region, this one ends at a remote coastal beach that can only be reached on foot, by jet boat, or by helicopter. Fiordland crested penguins nest on that same beach, and walkers arriving on foot often find themselves walking alongside them during breeding season.
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