Pouākai Circuit

Beginning at North Taranaki Park Visitor Centre (North Egmont), the track can be walked in either direction. Two serviced backcountry huts with woodburners, toilets, water, bunks and mattresses provide overnight accommodation.

North Egmont to Holly Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hr

7.5 km The Pouākai Circuit begins on the Veronica Loop/Holly Hut Track, starting at North Egmont. Follow the boardwalk past the Camphouse. From here the track leads past Ambury Monument and climbs a long series of steps. You will pass a track junction – take the track signposted towards Holly Hut. Ten minutes past the junction, you will come to a lookout. This is the start of the alpine section of the track, so look at the weather and make sure you have the gear for the conditions. If you aren’t well-equipped enough and/or if the weather is so bad that you cannot see the maunga, then we recommend returning down the Veronica Loop Track and trying the circuit another day. From the lookout, the track climbs then sidles along the side of Taranaki. The track passes the towering lava columns of the Dieffenbach Cliffs and crosses the Boomerang Slip (watch for rockfall signs and follow their instructions). After crossing the slip, the track descends and reaches a track junction with Kōkōwai Track. If you are walking in the other direction (from Holly Hut to North Egmont), this is a key decision-point. Assess the weather and decide whether to attempt the alpine section of the track. If conditions aren’t favourable, you can return to Holly Hut or take Kōkōwai Track to Egmont Road. Once past the Kōkōwai Track turnoff, the track gradually descends to the Ahukawakawa Track junction. Turn left for a 5-minute walk to Holly Hut. Minarapa Stream just prior to the hut is unbridged and can be impassable after heavy rain. There are several springs along the track between North Egmont and Holly Hut. These are significant to iwi, hapū and whanau, so please treat them with respect and do not wash in them or walk through the springs. From the hut, a 30-minute (one way) side trip along the Bells Falls track will take you to the towering Te Rere-o-Tahurangi Falls (31 m).

Holly Hut toPouākaiHut

Time: 2 - 3 hr

4.5 km Return to the Ahukawakawa Track junction and follow the boardwalk across Ahukawakawa. This area is a wetland/swamp – while there is a boardwalk, expect water and mud on the track in places. After crossing the headwaters of the Hangatahua River, the track ascends a ridge through mountain cedar to reach the Pouākai Track. Turn left here to take a 1 hr 30 min (return) detour to PouākaiTrig (1,440 m). Turn right to follow Pouākai Track on to the Mangorei Track junction. Pouākai Hut is a 5 minute walk down the Mangorei Track. The Mangorei Track is a good exit from the circuit if weather conditions are bad (allow 2 hr to Mangorei Road end).

Pouākai Hut to North Taranaki Visitor Centre

Time: 5 - 7 hr

km Return uphill to the Pouākai Track junction and turn left to traverse open tussock lands, passing the scenic alpine tarns (pools) before skirting around Maude Peak. The track then climbs Henry Peak (1220 m) before descending Kaiauai Track, passing the Kaiauai Shelter, to cross the swingbridge over the Kai Auahi Stream. From here, the track continues through lowland forest, crossing several small streams before reaching the swingbridge across the Waiwhakaiho River. A short climb leads up to the Ram Track junction. Follow the Ram Track uphill to return to North Egmont road end.