A trail that winds its way across three blocks of private land is now open to the public.
Walkers, runners and cyclists can access the new track which begins at the edge of the Grande Vue Golf Course.
The path had been bulldozed through the scrub to connect Gresham St to Gale Cutting Rd.
Bike Geraldine committee member Kevin Johnston said while it was usable, the organisation would have to wait till it “dried right out” before it could get vehicles in to shingle it.
“Which could be at the end of winter at the earliest.”
It was for walkers and cyclists of all ages, Mr Johnston said.
“I’m 76 years old and I can ride down there.”
However, if people felt nervous, they could simply get off the bike and step over bits they deemed too bumpy.
He had taken his mountain bike along the path on Sunday, and there was one creek crossing which was “very” muddy, he said.
While that crossing was to have a bridge installed, until then people would get wet up to their ankles.
“The most important thing to remember — until we get a few signs in — is to stay on the track.
“That is where we’ve got permission to go.
“Don’t go off on to the farmers’ land.”
Anyone wanting to drive to the new path could park their car further back on Gresham St or in the club’s carpark.
But he urged people not to park on the narrow driveway running into the golf course.
“And don’t — for goodness’ sake — park where they tee off.”
The trails went across three separate packages of private land, but that did not rule out dogs.
“I reckon it would be a good place to take a dog.”
People simply had to be mindful that their pampered pooches stayed on the path with them.
Where the pines had now been harvested by Gale Cutting Rd, there might be a temptation to wander off the track, but he advised against it.
“A lot of that is private land.”
He was thankful to the land owners, volunteers and contractors for their work.
While the organisation had paid the contractor Allan Muff for his work, he had done “miles more’’ than it ever paid him for.
He and Syd Woods had worked to make the track available, but it was not simply for themselves, Mr Johnston said.
“It’s for anyone who wants to walk it.”
