Often overlooked is the Taranaki region of New Zealand. This track doesn’t make it’s way all the way up to the peak of Taranaki but instead traverses the adjacent Pouakai range, offering exceptional views of the iconic mountain as you navigate a wide range of alpine and sub-alpine environments
Time to complete
2 or 3 Days
Accommodation style
Back-country hut OR Camping
Track type
Return via same track (Optional loop)
Distance
25km
Difficulty
Medium
Bookings required
None
Ever-changing landscapes throughout the hike
See Mt Taranaki’s reflection in the Pouakai Tarns
Stay at the Pouakai Hut, at over 1000m elevation
Additional side trip opportunities
Great sunset/sunrise spots close to the hut
This is one of the North Islands best circuits and definitely one of my favourite weekend hikes to complete. There’s something about being dwarfed by the majestic Mt Taranaki that makes you feel small. Walking this track, it feels like the landscapes change drastically every hour or so which makes it quite an engaging walk to complete. A good portion of the track is spent above the tree line which allows expansive views of th Pouakai range and also back to Mt Taranaki when walking the Pouakai Range. The track has had a good amount of funding in recent years which has seen a lot of track upgrades and good facilities overall which I’m glad to see. There are plenty of side trips which make doing this over three nights my recommendation, most notably the Bells Falls being a quick detour, and sunset at the Pouakai Tarns is somewhat of a pilgrimage for those staying at the Pouakai Hut.
Track condition
-Mostly well taken care of and good draining however the track on the second day is prone to becoming a bit slippery and muddy
-The swampy potion of the track has wooden boardwalks the whole way. Don’t veer off these as I found out the hard way that it can be chest deep in parts
Optionals
-Spend 3 days and have the option to summit Mt Taranaki on the first day
-Visit Bells falls, a reasonably short detour from Holly Hut
-Summit Pouakai Peak at 1400m high
This track starts and finishes at the North Egmont Carpark. Shuttles are available from the New Plymouth town or alternatively there is a reasonable amount of parking available at the top.
Trail start and finish location: North Egmont Visitor Centre
-Huts:
Generally the Pouakai Hut get’s quite popular over summer during the weekends and on public holidays but at other times there are usually quite a few beds free. The Holly Hut is much less busy.
-Camping:
Camping spots in front of the huts are available. Avoid camping near the Pouakai Tarns as the ground and ecosystems here are somewhat fragile
-Booking:
No bookings required
-Back-country hut pass:
Can be used for both huts
The exposed nature of the Pouakai range and the unpredictability of Mt Taranaki mean that good rain gear and warm layers should be taken as a precaution even with good weather forecasted. Given the elevation a reasonably warm sleeping bag will be needed too, depending on the season.
Summer | Example packing list
Spring + Autnum | Example packing list
Possible given the correct gear is taken (Crampons, ice axe, etc) . Check the DOC weather forecasts for avalanche advisory.
Department of conservation website | Egmont National Park Weather
13km | 5-7Hrs
3-4Hrs
The track starts with a moderate climb directly from the visitor centre. Mostly under the tree line, there are a few small clearings with good lookout vantages. Eventually the track gets out of the tree line to about 1180m elevation and the gradients then decrease with the walking becoming easier. Keeping to the Holly Hut Track, you spend the latter 2 hours on the side of Mt Taranaki passing impressive rock formations before descending to the Holly Hut. Take a detour here to Bells Falls if time allows.
2-3Hrs
From Holly Hut, walk over the Swamp towards Pouakai Hut sticking to the boardwalks where possible. Then ascend the Pouakai Range with a moderate climb for about an hour before the track flattens out and the Pouakai Hut is met. Good side trips from here are the Tarns only a 10 minute walk away.
Optional 3 day trip: Stay at Holly Hut the first night and Pouakai Hut the second night
Pouakai Tarns
12km | 5-7Hrs
3-4Hrs
The second day is short but tough similar to the first day. Starting from the Pouakai Hut, the first part of the day consists of crossing a few smaller peaks with the track being fairly steep but manageable in places. A good view point is Henry peak and is the last point to soak in the amazing views of Mt Taranaki before descending into the tree cover below. The descent has stairs about half the way down then turns into a steep forest track of varying quality. eventually the Kaiauai Shelter is met.
2-3Hrs
From here the track is relatively flat before the ascent back to the carpark begins. The road must be taken for the last part so take care especially if the visibility is low.
Waitawheta Hut
An easy overnight trip along the beautiful Waitawheta River
Syme Hut
A cosy hut perched high up the slopes of Mt Taranaki
