Usually, hikers start at Stirling Point, but genius that I am, I just had to tag on an extra 2.4km for the scenic vista and a bit of forest. My shuttle driver recommended the view from Bluff Point, and I did really enjoy seeing the transition from lush forest to flax bushes on rocky coast, to rolling grazing coast, and back into some urban parks. The first 25k was smooth sailing, but the last ten were slow and increasingly uncomfy. Tons of flax and ferns early on, then meadows, roads, and, finally, estuary.
Starting at Stirling Point, the trail was along the rocky coast. Tons of folks were out to find the famous Bluff oysters. Soon enough, the trail headed inland across some sheep farms to the highway, and I got a full 16km dose of highway walking. Not much fun when you have to keep at least one foot in a grassy ditch due to traffic. That sort of thing tends to make your knees a little sore.
The final 10k reminded me a bit of the Capitol City bike loop, but by then, I was wearing down. The estuary it crossed was full of nifty red grasses. Unfortunately, the last 2k were just hell on my feet, and the scenery couldn't save me. A few kilometers before I was going to get back into Bluff, I just collapsed on a log adjacent to a wastewater treatment plant. I got some water and some snacks, which gave me just enough motivation to make it into town. Nothing really says start of a grand adventure like wastewater treatment facility, you know.
Thankfully, I made it to my hostel safely, and collapsed for a good night's rest.
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