Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Colacat | Shutterstock
the petrified forest
My return to the real world starts via the small but lovely Bridgewater Bay village,
before heading out along the clifftops to Cape Nelson and the welcome smells of
coffee and food from the cafe at the base of an historic lighthouse. It’s here that I
learn how work started on the GSWW in 1981, and for the past 35 years has been
maintained by a group of local volunteers. The Friends of the Great South West
Walk are mainly retired men who travel out to do track maintenance on a weekly
basis. And at the time of writing this, one of its original founders, Bill Golding, is
still pulling on his boots and gloves as part of this dedicated team.
Finally, I’m strolling along the last part of my journey – heading to Portland on a
coastal track, watching for whales, surfers and diving gannets. I’m almost at the
end of this wonderful walk, and feeling like a different person. There’s no doubt
that losing myself among the nature here has refreshed my body, mind and soul.
SN
“I feel like I’m connecting with nature; walking, sleeping and waking
with it all around me”