This week on Back Roads presenter Paul West tackles one of the greatest walks on earth, the Heysen Trail in South Australia.
Or maybe I am watching Great Australian Walks?
Named after the famous painter Hans Heysen, who fell in love with the landscape, the track is the longest marked walking trail in Australia. It takes a whopping 60 days to complete and spans over 1200 kms of striking natural wonderland. And as Paul discovers, it’s a walk where the brave are tested and those with grit and determination thrive.
While the trail snakes from Cape Jervis in the South, all the way north to Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges, for this journey Paul travels along the southern part of the track. While the vistas may be breathtaking, the trail itself can be punishing. Paul meets up with the ‘End to End’ group who navigate a bit of the track every year and for many in the group, the Heysen Trail becomes an addiction. Paul learns the benefits of attempting this beast in a group and how they’ve forged some lifelong friendships along the way.
While there appears to be safety in numbers, some brave souls choose to go it alone. Paul meets Vicki Shaw who has just finished the trail. Her reasons for doing the hike are deeply personal. Battling with grief after the death of her daughter, Vicki’s goal was to commune with nature and push herself on track both physically and mentally. Along the way, the landscape helped her to heal and upon finishing, gave her a profound sense of achievement.
8pm Tuesday on ABC.
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