The best trip on Topo50 map BJ29 – Taranaki
To me, map BJ29 shows such a clear, visual story it speaks volumes. I see the perfectly symmetrical cone of Taranaki Maunga, and that stark green circle, drawn perhaps…
- Distance
- 25km
- Time
- 2 days
- Grade
- Easy
Find your trail
Taranaki
North Egmont Summit Track Loop, Te Papakura o Taranaki
This loop can be walked in either direction, the crux being the steepness of The Puffer. Some prefer to climb it, others to descend it. We’re going clockwise here.…
- Distance
- 7.66km
- Time
- 2.5-3hrs
- Grade
- Easy
Manganui Gorge Track, Egmont National Park
The walk starts at the far end of the car park along a rocky trail lined with alpine plants such as hebe and tussock. An impressive concrete tunnel is…
- Distance
- 1.55km
- Time
- 60 min return
- Grade
- Easy
Davies Track, Egmont National Park
Davies Track is a half-day walk to the summit of Patuha (684m) in the Kaitake Range, just outside Oakura. For the first 15 minutes, the trail crosses private property,…
- Distance
- 4km
- Time
- 3-4hr return
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Holly Hut, Egmont National Park
Resting on the mossy slopes of Mt Taranaki, Holly Hut is a popular pitstop for trampers on the Round the Mountain Track and Pouakai Circuit, as well as a…
- Distance
- 7.77km
- Time
- 3hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Pouakai via Dover Route, Egmont National Park
The Dover Route climbs 1000m through bush and tussock along a narrow, rocky ridge to reach the highest point on the Pouakai Range – 1400m Pouakai. The Pouakai Range,…
- Distance
- 4.7km
- Time
- 3-4hr to Pouakai
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Syme Hut, Egmont National Park
Whether you intend to climb to Mt Taranaki’s 2518m summit or just settle for Fanthams Peak (1966m), spending a night at Syme Hut, perched high above the Taranaki lowlands,…
- Distance
- 3.84km
- Time
- 3-4hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Around the Mountain Circuit, Egmont National Park
This circumnavigation of Mt Egmont/Taranaki has a bit of everything, from stream crossings to a waterfall, native forest to alpine tussock, solitude and unbeatable views. Our family adventure began…
- Distance
- 46km
- Time
- North Egmont to Kapuni Lodge, 8hr; To Waiaua Gorge Hut, 8hr; To Kahui Hut, 4hr; To Holly Hut, 5hr; To North Egmont, 3.5hr
- Grade
- Moderate/Difficult
Lake Dive Hut, Egmont National Park
The slopes of Taranaki have long drawn adventurers. One day in 1887, a party led by Thomas Dawson (after whom Dawson Falls is named) ascended the subsidiary cone known…
- Distance
- 13km (round trip)
- Time
- Upper Lake Dive Track, 4-5hr; Lower Lake Dive Track, 3hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Waingongoro Hut, Egmont National Park
Situated in a small clearing in a goblin forest, Waingongoro Hut provides unimpeded views of the toothed peak of Mt Taranaki 1600m above, and a night halfway up the iconic...
- Distance
- 3.08km
- Time
- 1hr
- Grade
- Easy
Henry Peak, Egmont National Park
Iconic Taranaki views On a clear day, Henry Peak in Egmont National Park is a memorable destination for strong hikers. Over the course of three heart-pounding hours, you’ll climb…
- Distance
- 7.47km to Henry Peak
- Time
- To Pouakai Hut, 1.5-2hr; To Pouakai, 60min
- Grade
- Moderate
Rerekapa Hut, Moki and Makino Conservation Areas
Toasting marshmallows on a cold night A mid-winter hiking adventure also happened to the first overnight tramp for our children Will (5) and Holly (3). We had settled on…
- Distance
- 2.9km one way
- Time
- 90min
- Grade
- Easy
Waimoku and Sefton Ridge tracks, Egmont National Park
This trip starts from Lucy’s Gully, named after Lucy Stevens who lived in Oakura in the early 1900s. Decorated with moko and usually wearing a black scarf, the toothless…
- Distance
- 6.6km
- Time
- 2.5hr
- Grade
- Easy
Pouakai Crossing via Kokowai Track, Egmont National Park
In just a few meandering hours on the Pouakai Crossing, a melange of wild landscapes is unravelled; subalpine shrublands and flowers, mountain cedar and misty moss-laden ‘goblin’ forests, a…
- Distance
- 17km
- Time
- 7.5-9.5hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Wilkies Pools, Egmont National Park
With a goblin forest walk to a cascade of pools in an old lava flow, Wilkies Pools is a must-do on Mt Taranaki. The 1-1.5 hour loop seemed manageable…
- Distance
- 2.4km
- Time
- 20min to the pools, 1hr 20min round loop
- Grade
- Easy
Lake Mangamahoe, Taranaki
Lake Mangamahoe has a well sign-posted 6km circuit that undulates around the lake shore. It passes radiata pine forest, mature ornamental tree plantings, pockets of regenerated native bush and…
- Distance
- 6km
- Time
- 2hr around the lake
- Grade
- Easy
Mt Taranaki/Egmont from North Egmont, Egmont National Park
Most backcountry enthusiasts understand that Mt Egmont/Taranaki is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. While extremely accessible and straightforward to climb, being so near the coast and being such an…
- Distance
- 5.9k to summit
- Time
- To Tahurangi Lodge, 2hr; Lodge to summit return, 6hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Kiwi Road to Mt Messenger, Mt Messenger Forest, Taranaki
The route to Mt Messenger isn’t the easiest navigationally; the track is rough and the markers elusive. Starting at Kiwi Road is easier than coming the other way from…
- Distance
- 8.95km
- Time
- 6.5-10hr
- Grade
- Difficult
Maketawa Hut, Egmont National Park
Three roads penetrate the interior of Egmont National Park, providing access to plenty of tracks. One of the best family-friendly options is the round-trip to Maketawa Hut. Beginning from…
- Distance
- 6.25km total
- Time
- 1.5-2hr each way
- Grade
- Easy
Moki-Rerekapa Loop, Moki Conservation Area
The Forgotten World highway snakes its way from Taumaranui to Stratford through the Tangarakau Gorge. This is backblocks New Zealand, and the perfect place to lose yourself for a…
- Distance
- 30km
- Time
- 2 days
- Grade
- Moderate
Pukeiti Gardens, Taranaki
n 1951, Pukeiti Hill was bought by enthusiasts who later formed the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, as the area, with its acidic soil, 400m altitude, 3500mm annual rainfall and shelter…
- Distance
- 8km
- Time
- 3-4hr
- Grade
- Easy
Pouakai Hut via Mangorei Track, Egmont National Park
It’s a steady climb from the road end, first coming to Graylings Clearing where good views of the area can be had, and then on to the hut, which…
- Distance
- 4.98km
- Time
- 2-3hr
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
Syme Hut, Egmont National Park
Though it’s a fairly steep tramp, the trip to Syme Hut is relatively easy thanks to staircases that start shortly after passing Hooker Shelter, almost on the halfway mark.…
- Distance
- 4.01km
- Time
- 2-3hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Moki Track, Makino Conservation Area
The Moki Track follows the south bank of the upper Waitara River. The track was once a surveyed road alignment that was to be developed to service the rehabilitation…
- Distance
- 18.2km
- Time
- 8hr
- Grade
- Moderate
Pouakai Circuit, Egmont National Park
This tramp strikes the perfect balance between adventure and comfort, making it ideal for the novice and the experienced tramper. This description starts from the car park on Egmont…
- Distance
- 19.5km
- Time
- 3 days
- Grade
- Easy/Moderate
York Loop Track, Egmont National Park
If you’re interested in local history, spend an afternoon walking along the York Loop Track near the base of Mt Taranaki. The track follows the route of the old…
- Distance
- 6.5km
- Time
- 2-3hr
- Grade
- Easy
Curtis Falls, Egmont National Park
Starting at an altitude of 1140m, this walk is in an alpine environment so be prepared for sudden changes in weather. The track rises to 1530m over the first…
- Distance
- 13.6km
- Time
- Full day
- Grade
- Easy