The book has a comprehensive introduction, with advice for planning your trip, and provides some background on landscape and climate, flora and fauna, and a brief history of the Canterbury foothills. Pat’s personal accounts of some of his favourite walks and climbs will inspire even ‘armchair trampers’ to get out and enjoy the natural splendour of this magnificent region.
Canterbury Foothills & Forests includes walks and tramps suitable for a range of fitness levels; families with children and the moderately fit will enjoy the many short walks along well-marked tracks, and there are harder trips for those who aspire to the challenge of a climb and the views gained from the tops of some of the higher summits.
The walks and climbs are organised by region: Rangitata region, Ashburton Lakes and Rakaia Valley, Waimakariri Plains region, Waimakariri Basin and Arthur’s Pass National Park, and the Lewis Pass region.
The handy-sized guide is illustrated with Pat’s inspiring photographs and includes 17 new full colour maps.
Useful features include:
- Walk times
- Walk grades (from Easy to Hard+)
- Standard access information, including phone numbers for landowners where applicable
- Details for the best route available
- The particular natural attractions of a track/peak
- Notes on the weather, terrain and equipment you should carry.
Pat Barrett is a keen outdoorsman, with 40 years’ experience, who began his forays into the hills in the Tararuas, north of Wellington. Pat has been a regular contributor to NZ Wilderness magazine since 1993, as well as to The Press and The Dominion Post. He is the author of six walking and tramping guides. Pat lives in Christchurch with his wife Christine and their three children, and enjoys regular trips to the outdoors with them.