Greenstone and Caples Tracks, Mountain trail in Otago Region, New Zealand
Greenstone and Caples tracks form a connected four-day walking circuit through valleys covered with beech forests, tussock grasslands, and mountain streams. The route passes through the Te Wāhipounamu-South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, showcasing the region's untouched natural landscape.
The valleys served as major trading routes for Māori communities for centuries, particularly for collecting pounamu from the region. The paths remain largely unchanged today and still follow the ancient routes established by these early travelers.
These routes hold deep meaning for Māori people, who have long gathered pounamu, a highly valued greenstone, from the riverbeds throughout the valleys. Today, walkers can sense this cultural connection as they pass through the same landscape their ancestors traveled for centuries.
The four-day circuit requires six to seven hours of walking each day, with basic huts provided for overnight shelter along the route. Visitors should be prepared for variable terrain and bring appropriate footwear and weather protection for mountain conditions.
The valleys are home to takahē, rare flightless birds that were reintroduced to their natural habitat here. These birds were thought to be extinct for decades, making their reappearance one of the country's greatest conservation successes.
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