The River Walk, running uphill from behind the house is a delightful stroll alongside a fast running stream through delightful native and imported species. This was originally the main entrance to what was then known as Holly Mount Lodge, back in the early days of the Blennerhassett era (1837). At that time it was named, the Long Drive.
After exiting the Bamboo Glade, turning left, you will turn the corner to view the pond. At the newly installed pond (2008) there is a stand of the massive Giant Rhubarb, Gunnera manicata, which never fails to impress the smaller visitor. Continue on from here to the start of the River Walk.
Some of the southern ferns here are spectacular in their health, with the vigour of their new growth when the unfurling croziers appear, a testament to the suitability of the local conditions. Some of the larger fronds are over 10 feet from tip to trunk. Dotted among the almost ubiquitous Dicksonia antarctica, particularly on the right-hand side of the pathway, are some wonderful examples of ferns from the Americas, Blechnum spp. and Lophosoria, spp. collected throughout the course of the current owners fanaticism , and now currently acclimatising well to their new home. Robinson Crusoe (Alexander Selkirk) himself would be familiar with certain of the species encountered here.
At the top of the River Walk, there is a newly installed trail will take you back on another route, The Cliff Walk.
Footnote: Walkers will note that there is large physical evidence along the river walk of the storm of late January 2010 where a large number of the Abies grandis fell, mainly across the river.
