From Bushwillow Park the trail leads you across Shawswood, through plantations, to Braco farm, with the majestic Grey Mares Tail Water fall as a backdrop. Here you will zig zag your way through Willies Magical Garden, run through farmlands, cross the main road and head into the plantations for a formidable climb upwards. Water Table 1 at the loading zone will be a welcome sight. From here you work your way up through bush. Near the top of the mountain look around for the ancient Yellowwood trees. They are really big and beautiful.

The path then takes you across the top of mountain and through Mbona Nature Reserve, where you will observe unbelievably stunning views and wildlife. The trail goes through more forest and grassland, along the edges of dams to the Mbona exit gate.

You will cross the New Hanover road and traverse more farmland, cross a swing bridge, run through a young Avocado pear farm and up through the infamous Avenue at Benvie. Here you will experience an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ type tea in the beautiful gardens. You can take time to enjoy this as it is a Time Out Zone.

From Benvie the trail leads you up, up, up, along farm roads and across to Twinfalls, where you begin to descend back down into the valley. You will cross the river and run parallel to it, pass a small village and Willies Magical Garden, head along the driveway to the plantations, through Shawswood, back to Base Camp.

Day 3 takes you through Shawswood to Twinfalls along farm roads and then up into the hills through grasslands. The trail then twists through plantations upwards, towards the top of Mt Gilboa, the highest point in the area. Where you can take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking views, at the last water point.

The track then leads you across grassland plateaus and back down through Shawswood and Bushwillow forest towards base camp – for a hearty breakfast!

The descent is steep.

This route follows the day 2 route plan but splits off at the top of Mbona Nature Reserve mountain. it is a big loop.

From here the path leads you through grasslands – along and down the mountain to Mbona’s main gate. From here the trail goes along the edge of a mountain, down plantation roads back towards Willies Garden, through Shawswood to Bushwillow. 

This run goes from Bushwillow Park through plantations, skirting the edge of the beautiful indigenous forest, to Shawswood and returns through the indigenous bush.

By no means an easy trail run!