- Time
- 4-5hr return
- Grade
- Moderate
- Access
- From the end of Mangorei Road
- Map
- Topo50 BJ29
Pouakai Hut, Egmont National Park
The Pouakai Range is one of the remnants that marks the line of volcanoes that have created the Taranaki region and although the area is best known for the most recent of these volcano's, Mt Taranaki/Egmont, the oldest in the line of these volcano’s can be found off the coast. Much smaller than Mt Taranaki, the Pouakai Range still provides a dramatic backdrop to the city of New Plymouth and the range is just high enough to be crowned with tussock. From these tussock tops there are great views of Mt Taranaki and the great sweep of the Taranaki coastline. The most direct route up to the Pouakai Range begins at the end of Mangorei Road and is only a few kilometres from the centre of New Plymouth. Even though access from Mangorei Road is the most direct route to Pouakai Hut and the top of the range, the grade is relatively gentle by Taranaki standards and makes for a great day out. However, like almost all tracks in the area, the route is wet and in many parts there are mud pools and running water to complement the steady uphill climb. On a more positive note, the kinder grade of the track and wooden boardwalks that DOC has installed in the upper section make for fast travel. After climbing steadily though typical dense Taranaki trees and undergrowth, the track climbs to a small plateau named Graylings Clearing and skirts an old rocky outcrop or volcanic plug which is not named, although its height is shown as 1232m. From the clearing it is possible to get the first good view of the tussock-covered Pouakai tops and the great sweep of the Taranaki. Shortly after skirting the rocky outcrop, the track continues to climb steadily to Pouakai Hut and beyond to the crest of the range.