| Mt Taranaki, North Island |
 Trail Name:Waingongoro Track Summary: |
| Trail Description |
| Mt Taranaki, also known as Mt Egmont, dominates the prominent headland in the west of North Island. The National Park has 140 km of tracks, including multi-day high- and low-level circuits of the volcano. This interesting half-day hike includes short sections of these tracks, together with parts of Wilkies Pool Loop, Enchanted, Ridge Loop and Kapuni Loop Trails.
At Dawson Falls parking area and visitor center, you get a good look at the subsidiary cone of Fantham Peak, south of Taranaki’s main summit and, on a clear day, the views stretch as far as the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. Head to the end of the road and onto the Wilkies Pool Loop (red markers), which makes its way through forest and past a lookout point to Kapuni Stream. Cross over and continue climbing alongside the stream, which forms a series of cascades and small pools, a perfect place for relaxing on a warm day. This section of the hike is popular, particularly with families, but you tend to find that the higher you climb, the fewer people there are. Climb back down a short way to where the Wilkies Pool trail turns left, away from the stream. Stay on it for a moment, before bearing left onto the High Level AMC (Around the Mountain Circuit). Follow this in a general north-easterly direction towards The Plateau, the end of the approach road from Stratford to East Egmont. After about 1 mile/1.6 km, and just a few minutes before The Plateau, a post marks the Enchanted Track to the right. Before you take it, detour ahead to The Plateau and a view from a lookout that stretches many miles to the east. Return to the Enchanted Track (blue markers). There are a few more meters of ascent and, as you climb, look back for a great view up to the snow-capped summit of the volcano. Now the trail descends some 984 ft/300 m through a fascinating forest of ferns and other exotic-looking (and sounding) plants: horopito, moss-covered kamahi and totara, and astelia. The mountain acts as a rain trap, and the lush forests on the lower slopes are testament to the damp climate. At the junction, turn right onto Waingongoro Track to loop back to Dawson Falls. The trail crosses a number of streams before approaching a deep gorge cut by Waingongoro River. The swing-bridge across the gorge is the highest in Egmont National Park – it is also long and narrow, and only one person is allowed on at a time. So if you are not very good with heights, take a deep breath before stepping on! Bear right, ignoring a turning for Waingongoro Hut, and continue on the trail for about 0.6 mile/1 km to a junction. Turn left onto the Ridge Track (yellow markers) and follow it for 0.75 mile/1.2 km or so down to Kapuni Stream (on the way passing a connector to Wilkies Pool Loop, an alternative route back to the visitor center). Cross the footbridge. Just a few minutes to the right is the visitor center, but to visit Dawson Falls you need to bear left onto Kapuni Loop Track (pink markers). An easy path and steps lead down to the base of the falls. Stay on Kapuni Loop, cross the road, and continue through forest and an open area by Konini Lodge to the visitor center. |
| FACT FILE |
| Location: Egmont National Park, west North Island. The Park has three entrances: North Egmont, East Egmont, and Dawson Falls on the south-east slopes, which is where this hike begins. The nearest town, to the east of the Park, is Stratford, but it is probably easier to access Dawson Falls via Eltham, 11 km to the south.
Directions: From Wanganui on the coast, take Hwy 3 north-west for about 92 km to Hawera, then continue north on Hwy 3 for 21 km to Eltham. Turn left to head west on the road to Kaponga and Opunake. In about 14 km you reach Kaponga, where you turn right to head north on Manaia Road towards the volcano and Dawson Falls. Trailhead: Dawson Falls visitor center, at the end of Manaia Road. Length: 6 miles / 9.6 km Trail Type: Loop Elevation Change: 984 ft / 300 m Duration: 3.5 hours Trail Condition: Well defined with signed junctions and colored markers in places. Features: Cascades and rock pools, forest, volcano, waterfall. Climate: Changeable with high rainfall. Tends to be most stable late summer/ early autumn (February/March). Accommodation: Lodge and more basic dormitory-style accommodation at Dawson Falls. Eltham has a couple of motels. Stratford has more choice, including motels and a holiday park with cabins, tent and RV sites. Trail Notes: Trail and topographic maps available at Dawson Falls visitor center. |
Popularity: 18% [?]