Linda Woods Reserve:  Horotane Castle Rock Circuit 

Sat 30th May 2026

The 10am relaxed starting time found nine walkers take the narrow access track from Horotane Valley up to Jacks Track in the Linda Woods Reserve. We took a clockwise circuit up the ridge directly below the volcanic crag of Castle rock. Nearer to the top the track became less defined and steeper with Mike taking the lead following his previous GPS tracked route.

We sat for a snack taking in superb views of north easterly clag cloaking the Mt Pleasant ridge and Pegasus Bay, but with sun and blue sky above. 

The blocks of basalt rock covered in red algae, white lichen and flowering yellow gorse below were stunning. Walking over the closed summit road (keeping an eye out for the odd cyclist) we ambled down to the Avoca south gate. Doug mentioned he’d never walked before on the Kahu track which drops to join Jacks track. We passed seedlings PTC planted for Brian Smith several years ago, then back to Horotane Valley Rd. 

Sue Britain, Mike Bourke, Sue Hely, Doug Forster, Karen Fincham, Carolyn Blackford, Graeme Nicholas, Graham Townsend, Chris Leaver CL