Set to be presented as part of the Wild Dunedin Festival for the second time, the hike will be held on Sunday, April 12.
Registrations will be in Bacon St, Broad Bay, opening at 10am and closing at 10.30am.
Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust member Fiona Harrison said the hike, which combined self-guided walking around the Harbour Cone area with interpretive signs and presentations by trustees, had been a popular annual event for the past 10 years.
The free event usually attracts more than 400 people.
‘‘We decided to try including the hike in the Wild Dunedin Festival last year and it was very successful, so we’re back again this year,’’ Mrs Harrison said.
‘‘It’s a good way to highlight to more people that they can access the iconic Harbour Cone site and see it for themselves.’’
While most of the Hereweka Harbour Cone would be navigated by walkers using maps and guides from the registration site, there would be trustees stationed at points of special interest, ready to share stories of the area’s history and people.
‘‘Visitors will be able to learn more about some of the historic farmsteads and climb to the summit of Harbour Cone if they are so inclined and see those amazing views,’’ Mrs Harrison said.
Each year the hike took a slightly different route and this year would take walkers past historic stone walls on Highcliff Rd and give them the chance to meet stone mason Stephen Kilroy, who was working on restoring them.
Mrs Harrison said the Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust allocated $3000 each year for restoration of the stone walls and this work was ongoing.
‘‘There will also be an option to visit Larnach’s Farm and see the recent restoration work on the Byre,’’ she said.
Part of a model farm established by William Larnach, the Byre had deteriorated over the years to the point of near-collapse.
The trust had managed to stabilise the ruin and launched a fundraising campaign to raise the $100,000 needed to preserve it.
Mrs Harrison said the Hereweka Harbour Cone Hike was aimed at walkers with a moderate level of fitness and had attracted everyone from young families to walkers in their 80s.
The full hike, including a visit to Larnach’s Byre and climbing Harbour Cone, was about 7km.
Without those options, it was about 4km.
‘‘It’s perfect for getting your kids out in the great outdoors to blow off their excess school holiday steam.’’
In addition, a free barbecue provided by Broad Bay School would be available about halfway through the walk and there would be toilets at that site also.
Participants in the hike would need good walking shoes, suitable clothes for the conditions, plenty of water and a camera.
Because the hike traversed a working farm, organisers asked for dogs to be left at home.
For any inquiries or for more information phone the hike co-ordinator on 021798-908.
