Every walk can be memorable, but some more so than others. We asked Walk1200km participants to share one walk they’ll never forget, and the answers included wildlife encounters, epic life-list trips and a realisation that they are up to the challenge.

Milford magic

My very first tramp was the Milford Track 29 years ago. I was so blown away that I got hooked on tramping and am still tramping at least once a month at 76. Next month I’m on the Mt Taranaki Around the Mountain Circuit.

– Dina Parker

Coffee with kea Kepler Track and having a morning coffee with a kea. I felt we were having real good deep and meaningful conversation.
– Alison Silcock

Curious kākā 

On a visit to Kapiti Island I had a kākā sit on my back and very efficiently open the zip of my backpack. It’s a very cool bird.

– Kathrine Baynton

I can do it 

Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in June of this year. It was challenging, rewarding, magical. I was so anxious about my fitness, altitude sickness and whether 

I could do it. But I did and it taught me to believe in myself and that we can do hard things.

– Louise Groarke

Kiwi encounter

On Rakiura, a kiwi came up to me, pecked my shoes and then put its beak into my shoe looking for bugs. It was pretty awesome!

– Kama Clark

Dingo encounter

I walked Larapinta solo in June and had encounters with dingoes on two separate days. Beautiful animals.

– Emma Adcock

Trusting bird

When walking the Dusky Track to Supper Cove, we looked up from our feet to see a morepork dozing on a branch at head height. It opened one eye briefly and then went back to dozing.

– Chris Green

A UK great

Walking the UK’s Coast to Coast was sublime. I walked through three of England’s finest National Parks – the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors. All offering totally different walking experiences and each absolutely amazing. It’s so good, I’ve done it twice – once aged 43 and then aged 74 with my two adult sons.

– Duncan Smith

Memories

Most memorable for me was a week-long trail through the Andes to Machu Picchu. Everything about it was stunning and I can take myself back there in my mind readily.

– Sally Tye

Lockdown kererū

Lockdowns taught the birdlife of this country that they rule. One day at Shakespear Regional Park a kererū landed not far away to drink from a puddle and allowed me to within 3m.

– Roger White

A rare black tīwaiwaka

Walking beside Kaiapoi River I saw a black tīwaiwaka/fantail. Absolutely gorgeous. I couldn’t take a photo as my phone was in my pocket and moving meant it would fly away. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment.

– Karen Murray

Demanding trip to Blue Lake

My tramp to Blue Lake a couple of years ago was in stunning weather but straight after heavy rain and flooding. I had no idea what I was in for! Immensely proud of my achievement, even if it included a very inelegant drenching when I slipped in a flooded creek and got totally soaked.

– Irene Buchan

Persistent robin

More an unusual encounter than the best encounter. On the Milford Track I had a robin land on my boot and peck my leg incessantly to the point of bleeding. Never seen the behaviour before and 

I was so intrigued by it that I just let it do it.

– Fiona Gilston

Can you walk 1200km in 12 months? Sign up at wildernessmag.co.nz