49 - Barnicoat
A good climb, rewarded with excellent views. The hill is named after John Wallis Barnicoat who was an early Nelson surveyor.
Time: 3 hours
Area: Stoke
Start Location: Drive up the Marsden Valley past the cemetery and park on the right hand side of the road where the walkway start is well signposted.
Download the Barnicoat map (45KB PDF)
Route directions
The walkway leads off across a footbridge on the right, and climbs up to join the 4WD track. About 10 minutes up the track the walkway diverts off to the left up a steep slope. Continue on through the pine forest. There are good views over the Ngawhatu Valley and out to Monaco. The track comes out by power lines, and curves around the side of the hill to the right. (The straight ahead option takes you on to Jenkins Hill.)
Walk along the hillside taking the left option where the road forks, until you come to the signpost indicating the paragliding area - this hill has great thermals and excellent flying conditions. The view off to the west is of the Richmond Range, from Dun Mountain in the east, then Fishtail, Mount Fell, Mount Richmond, Starveall and the pointy little 'Bishop's Cap'.
After you've rested and enjoyed the view, head straight ahead down the hill to strike the road and take a left to return back down to the walkway start.