Skipping through it

Dunedin girls Mia (left, 8) and Emily (7) North skip through the Southern Cemetery with their maps yesterday as part of the Town Belt Traverse.

Hundreds of walkers braved a chilly morning to explore the natural wonder that slices through Dunedin.

The walk, organised by the Dunedin Amenities Society, took participants 8.2km from the Southern Cemetery to Woodhaugh Gardens.

They were given maps which were stamped by marshals at various intervals.

Organiser Paul Pope said more than 600 people participated. This was down on last year's 900, but the turnout was surprisingly good considering the cold, cloudy weather, he said.

"Everyone's had a great time.

"The Town Belt is one of Dunedin's great wonders. We need to promote it and bring more and more people in here."

The protection and enhancement of the Town Belt was one of the original projects of the society when it began in 1888.