Very evocative! I seem to remember, it's a VERY long, very wet walk or a very steep one - but well worth it. I shall be up there this summer to try it in B&W.
Yes you're right. It is a long walk. I was there last October and the weather was actually quite nice for walking.
My wife works for one of our high schools and goes up once a year. In fact she is leaving at 4:00 tomorrow morning for this year's trip!!