Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

New Zealand is home to some 550 species of moss
It was in remote areas like this that the last of New Zealand’s giant flightless
birds, the legendary moa, most likely clung on before succumbing to extinction.
With some species growing close to 10ft (3m) tall, like a Jurassic-sized ostrich
without wings, moa were considered imaginary – a fanciful story of the Maoris –
until discovery in the mid-19th century of their long-necked skeletons up and down
the country proved their existence beyond doubt.
I round the ridge overlooking Lake Harris, surrounded by snow-dusted peaks,
and past the thundering cascade of Routeburn Falls before coming to the
evening’s rest stop at Routeburn Falls Lodge.
Routeburn Falls marks the edge of the treeline at more than 2400ft (750m).
When morning light spills over the mountainside and into the valley, it reveals the
undefined border where the craggy grey outcroppings of the mountains descend
into forest. From here, the track winds alongside shaggy alpine pastures, over
springy suspension bridges and through thick green bush, the downward path
encouraging a light step after two days of uphill endeavour.