I hiked up Mount Marlow via the Many Peaks Trail on the Common (see map) four years ago and noted in my post about it that I was glad I had chosen not to rush it. Last Tuesday I started an hour later, at about 9.20, but finished at the same time, and wished I had allowed more time for it.
Pallarenda to the top of the hill, 4.5 km according to the sign, took a little over two hours of fairly steady walking on the very rough track so I stopped for a snack and the views on top of Mt Marlow. My original intention had been to return the way I came but the longer walk via Bald Rock and the Lagoon Trail seemed like a better idea at the time because it offered easier walking and fresh scenery. I paused again for a short break at the bottom of the hill, and got back to the car park at 2.20 after walking twelve or fifteen kilometres.
I posted a lot of landscape photos last time so I will limit myself this time to filling in a few gaps.
The wildlife was dominated by insects, particularly butterflies, dragonflies and grasshoppers, but there were a good few birds around. A close view of a hawk on top of Mt Marlow was a highlight of my walk, and I also saw Woodswallows, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Scrub Turkey, Peaceful Doves, Plovers, Magpie Geese and the occasional egret – all the usual species, in fact.
