This article was published in Tararua Tramper October 2025
Western Hills to British Peak and Jessie’s Peak
M – Wednesday 6 August
After three previous attempts in the past year were thwarted by storms, the hills to the west of Wellington finally came alive again with the chatter of TTC members. On a perfect winter day for tramping, 25 members of the club completed a circuit that includes the grassy hills and valleys that lie between Chartwell, Mākara Valley and Karori.
The group commenced the tramp at Ōtari-Wilton Bush Reserve and climbed up to and across the Skyline behind Chartwell (407m. We then turned south-west and crossed the grassy hilltops into Ōtari Farm and climbed onto British Peak (375m) and Jessie’s Peak. After exploring prominent rock outcrops, we did a steep descent to North Mākara Stream, followed abruptly by an even steeper climb (some of it on hands and knees) out of the valley and eventually onto Johnston Hill (360m). To conclude the tramp, we took the Ōtari Reserve track that runs beside the large kahikatea and rimu (800 years old Moko) trees.
We enjoyed panoramic views of the Mākara coastline and across Cook Strait to the Marlborough Sounds. The snow-capped Kaikōura mountains were in view at several stages of the route. 12.3 kilometres were covered in just under six hours. A wonderful day. We are most grateful to the owner of Ōtari Farm for permission to tramp across his property. (B B) [Photos: Bob Buckle]
Bob Buckle (leader), Joan Basher, Alistair Beckett, Linda Beckett, Rachel Fry, Joanne Gapes, Trish Gardiner-Smith, Susan Guscott, Leonore Hoke, Carolyn Jenkins, Andy Leslie, Ann McIlroy, Peter Morten, Marg Pearce, Mary Perkins, Sieny Pollard, Peter Smith, Diana Suggate, Howard Symmes, Angela Vanderpoel, Karen Vaughan, John Willett, Christine Whiteford, Cathy Wylie