5 epic Taranaki hikes
Discover some of the best walks in Egmont National Park
Mount Taranaki is one of the most beloved mountains in New Zealand. It dominates the Taranaki region.
It’s a magnet for hikers and climbers, but it’s not to be taken lightly — this is the second most dangerous mountain in New Zealand after Aoraki Mount Cook.
As well as hiking to the summit, and hiking around the mountain, there are other beautiful walks near New Plymouth, that will give you awesome views of this iconic peak.
Mount Taranaki: Quick facts
Location: Egmont National Park
Elevation: 2518 metres
What’s so special about Taranaki? This is one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world. The mountain also has recognised personhood and is highly significant to the local iwi (tribe).
Hikes on Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki Summit Hike
Climbing to the summit of the mighty Mount Taranaki is one of my favourite day hikes in New Zealand.
The mountain is smack in the middle of the circular Egmont National Park in Taranaki, the south western corner of New Zealand’s North Island.
From the summit, you can see the coast wrapping around the Taranaki region. In the other direction, you can see Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe sitting in the centre of the island. Looking straight down, you can see the dense cloak of forest draped around the foot of the mountain.
This hike is only accessible to day hikers from December to April. From May through to November, snow and ice mean it’s impossible to climb without mountaineering equipment.
Only attempt the hike on a day with clear weather.
Always check the weather forecast before you go and make a smart call about whether or not you go.
How long does it take to walk up Mount Taranaki?
This is a full day hike - I took about 6 hours up and 3 down, and I hike a lot. Plan to give yourself plenty of time just in case.
Is it hard to climb Mount Taranaki?
There’s no way to sugarcoat it — this is a tough hike. You should have a bit of hiking experience under your belt and a decent level of fitness.
Lots of people seem to do it without either of these things, but I saw a lot of people struggling on the way up, so you’ll enjoy the experience more if you get in a couple of training hikes in the month or so beforehand.
What to take on the Mount Taranaki hike
Take a minimum of 3 litres of water. It’s a tough climb in baking hot sun, so you will need to hydrate and there is nowhere to get water on the track.
Take layers. It can get hot climbing up but it’s cold on the summit, and weather can change quickly even on a fine day.
The hiking trail
You can start the hike from the North Egmont Visitor Centre, but in summer parking here is limited and it can get full. A better option is to start from the Stratford Plateau carpark, which is also at a higher elevation - which means less climbing!
I started from Stratford Plateau as the carpark here is a freedom camp for self-contained campervans. The track here cuts around the mountain and joins the more popular route from the visitor centre at Tahurangi Lodge.
The lodge is private - you can book a spot here - but still makes a good spot to sit down and have a snack break. This is also the last chance to use a toilet, I recommend going here even if you think you don’t need to.
From the lodge, the track heads up through tussock to a rock-filled valley. Once you’re beyond the rocks, you’ll reach steep, gravel slopes. This is where it starts to get hard. The gravel is loose and slippery, and you have to choose your footing carefully to avoid sliding backwards. The track can get busy, which means people above you can be kicking rocks loose and sending them hurtling down toward you, so you also need to pay attention to what’s up ahead. On top of this, there is no shelter for this part of the climb. You’re exposed to the sun and there are no easy places to rest.
Once you make it to the top of the scree slopes, you’ll get to the Lizard. This is a rocky ridge which leads up to the crater. It’s easier to find your footing on the Lizard, but it still involves a lot of scrambling and hauling yourself up rocks.
When you reach the crater, you’ll climb over the lip and down a rocky ledge to the floor of the crater. It’s very high up here and there can be ice at any time of year, so you need to take care not to slip and you might need to get out an extra layer to stay warm.
Cross the crater, and tackle the final climb to the summit rock. The summit is a surprisingly large, flat area with astonishing views.
Coming back down is a lot quicker than going up, but that doesn’t make it easy. The scree is really slippery and with a lot of people sliding down there can be lots of rocks flying around.
Pouakai Crossing - the ultimate day hike in Taranaki
The Pouakai Crossing is one of the best hikes in New Zealand.
The Round the Mountain Track - for the real adventurers
The Round the Mountain Circuit is a multi-day hike that circumnavigates Mount Taranaki, providing hikers with a unique and immersive experience of the region's beauty and geological wonders. The trail covers approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) and can be completed in about 8 to 10 days, depending on individual hiking paces and preferences. It's a challenging endeavor that promises rich rewards for those who embark on this adventure.
The Pouakai Tarns - one of the most iconic day hikes in New Zealand
A five hour return hike, you can walk in to the Pouakai Tarns from the Mangorei Road end in New Plymouth. The first section of the walk is ini the goblin forest, a forest of gnarled and mossy trees that feels like it could be hiding fairies.
It’s a steady climb up to the Pouakai Hut, where you can take a break and enjoy the view out to the sea. From there it’s just 10 minutes to reach the tarns, where you can see the mountain reflected in the water on clear and still days. The area around the tarns is delicate and easily damaged so stick to the tracks.
Wilkies Pools - an accessible day hike
Wilkies Pools are beautiful natural pools in a clear stream pouring off Mount Taranaki. The water is ice cold, even in summer, but it’s a beautiful spot for a dip.
This trek begins at Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, leading adventurers through the lush forested slopes of Mount Taranaki.
The walk to the Wilkies Pools is a relatively easy, making this day walk accessible to families and infrequent hikers.
Getting to Mount Taranaki
From Auckland to Mount Taranaki is about a 6 hour drive.
Wellington to Mount Taranaki is about 5 hours driving.
It takes about one hour to drive from New Plymouth to Mount Taranaki.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can arrange for shuttle transport from New Plymouth to the start of the track at the North Egmont Visitor Centre of the Stratford Plateau carpark.
Camping around Mount Taranaki
There are some awesome freedom camps around Mount Taranaki.
Even if you’re not doing the summit hike, the Stratford Plateau carpark is a beautiful spot to spend the night, and if you’re lucky you’ll wake up to sunrise lighting up the distant peaks of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
You can also camp overnight in a self-contained vehicle in the North Egmont visitor centre carpark.
Both options give you the chance to set off early.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you got some inspiration for hikes in the Taranaki area.
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