The beautiful region of Taranaki offers a huge range of adventurous day walks - enjoy lush native forest filled with birdsong, and stunning views of mighty Taranaki Maunga.
The region of Taranaki surrounds the foot of Taranaki Maunga, a dormant volcano and ancestral mountain, that peeks above the clouds. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with panoramic views reaching out over the North Island and beyond. The 2518m summit is a challenging full day's walk and is recommended for experienced and fit hikers only, during summer months. Always visit the DoC website for up-to-date weather conditions on the maunga.
The 24km Pouākai Crossing is a premier one-day walk that takes in the highlights of the longer two-to-three day Pouākai Circuit. Challenging and stunningly scenic, the Pouākai Crossing walk takes you through the fragile and haunting Ahukawakawa Swamp, across the golden tussocks of the Pouākai Plateau to the famous tarns with their mirror reflections of Taranaki Maunga, and descends through the peaceful forest of the lower Pouākai Range. Note that this is a one-way walk, so you'll need to organise a lift back to the start.
Both the Kapuni Loop and Wilkies Pools Loop Tracks, within Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, are family-friendly and accessible for all - make sure to take your swimsuit for an icy dip in the natural pools.
For something slightly more sedate but just as tranquil, try the 7km Ōpunake Loop Trail. Starting at the Ōpunake Lake, you'll cross a bridge before heading to the Wharf Lookout. Make sure to stop and take in the heritage signs dotted along the way for a dose of local history.
Don’t miss your chance to climb Paritutu Rock for a bird’s-eye view of New Plymouth and surrounding coastline. Lake Mangamahoe is also a popular circuit walk around a man-made dam and lake.
