These trekking tours are designed to accommodate small groups (up to 10 people).  Suitable for inbound tour groups, tramping clubs, school and family trips.

About Pouakai Circuit
Circuits available
Access points
Accommodation
Essential gear list
Environmental care code

ABOUT POUAKAI CIRCUIT

The Pouakai Circuit is an awe-inspiring chapter in the New Zealand landscape and geology story, written in every step through many of the most beautiful areas of Egmont National Park .

The turmoil of centuries of volcanic activity is apparent as soon as you cross the active erosion scar of the Boomerang slip and pass beneath the towering columns of the Dieffenbach cliffs. The water runs red near here where manganese oxide oozes from the earth into the Kokowai Stream.

After passing Holly Hut you cross a swamp, so fragile that a single footprint remains visible for years. The sweeping vista of golden tussock and summer flowers is broken by the snaking Stony River as it slips over Bells Falls to the sea. 

Lining the climb up from the swamp, gnarled trees have bent to the will of the weather.

Not far from Pouakai Hut, a side trip to the Pouakai Trig on a clear day brings stunning views along the Taranaki coastline and to Mt Ruapehu. From the hut on a clear night, the lights of New Plymouth remind you of the short step between the city and serenity.

Pouakai Circuit is a “Backcountry Adventurers” tramping track which can be completed in 2 or 3 days. It traverses lowland rain forest, sub-alpine and alpine vegetation zones, and crosses the unique Ahukawakawa wetland and the headwaters of the Stony (Hangatahua) River.

• You need moderate to high levels of backcountry skills and experience. You need to be able to: read a map, carry the correct equipment (see list below), have undertaken tracks of a similar rating, have average or above fitness, can traverse moderately steep slopes and rough ground.
• The track is steep in places and the surface can be muddy and wet and has tree roots and embedded rocks.
• Main rivers and streams are bridged. The Kaiauai Stream is not bridged, nor are a couple of the tributaries of the Waiwhakaiho River between Henry Peak and North Egmont.
  

North Egmont Visitor Centre to Holly Hut:             Time 3 hours

From the Camphouse, the well formed track steadily climbs through montane forest, and sub-alpine scrub. Some excellent scenic views of the Ahukawakawa wetland and the upper slopes of Mt Taranaki are available as the track gradually descends to Holly Hut.

Holly Hut to Pouakai Hut:                             Time 2-3 hours

The Ahukawakawa track crosses an extensive wetland. It then crosses the Stony River, ascends the ridge, through sub-alpine and mountain cedar to join with the Pouakai and Mangorei track junction and a short descent to Pouakai Hut.

Pouakai Hut to North Egmont Visitor Centre:         Time 5 hours

From Pouakai Hut, the Pouakai track traverses open tussock lands and sub-alpine forest to the top of Henry Peak . The track then descends into mixed kamahi forest to the Kaiauai shelter, which can be used to shelter from the elements if the Kaiauai stream is flooded and can’t be crossed. After crossing the stream, the track traverses some deep gullies before the swingbridge over the Waiwhakaiho River . You can then take the shorter track to Kaiauai car park on Egmont Road or follow the Ram Track up to the North Egmont Visitor Centre.

Access Points

North Egmont Visitor Centre, Egmont Road . Access is via the Holly Hut Track

Kaiauai Car Park. Access is via the Kaiauai Track leaving the carpark area, 2kms below the visitor centre on Egmont Road .

Mangorei Road . Access is from the carpark at the top of the Mangorei Road , off SH3, south of New Plymouth.

The services available at huts include;

• Hut wardens over busy periods 
• Heating – wood burners- firewood/coal (during the peak season) 
• Toilets
• Water  (if cautious, boil, filter or purify it)
• Bench space for cooking ( take your own cooker and fuel)
• Bunks /mattresses  

The huts in Egmont National Park are part of the national hut ticket system. Purchase your hut tickets prior to leaving on your trip and leave the ‘tear-off’ portion of the tickets in each of the hut ticket boxes. An annual hut pass can be used. There is a ‘pack-in, pack-out’ policy for rubbish in Egmont National Park – if you bring it in, take it out!

To book accommodation.

North Egmont Visitor Centre Camphouse – 32 bunks (ph) 06 7560990.

It has hot water, toilets, heating, showers and cooking facilities.

Please book in advance. Cost $20.00 per adult and $10.00 per child per night.

Hut tickets and annual passes can not be used for the Camphouse.

The Essential Gear List                                                       

• Waterproof raincoat and over trousers
• Warm woollen or fibre pile clothing 
• Spare dry socks    
• Strong tramping boots
• Food and drink (enough for the duration plus extra for emergencies.) 
• First aid kit
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Sunhat and a warm hat
• Sleeping bag
• Portable fuel stove
• Hut tickets or annual hut pass
• Map and compass (and know how to use them)

Consider Carrying

• Putties (gaiters)
• Cellphone and/or mountain radio
• Tent and bed roll in busy summer months     

During winter and snow conditions you will need an ice axe and crampons (and know how to use them) and snow gaiters and goggles. You might want to consider  carrying an avalanche transceiver and probe and a snow shovel.

Weather

Weather on Mt Taranaki is very changeable and difficult to predict. Contact the Met Service (0900-99906) for the latest forecast before setting out. Carry enough clothing and equipment to ensure you are prepared to cope with any type of weather.

Environmental Care Code:     

       (“take only photos, leave only foot prints”)

• Protect plants and animals
• Remove all rubbish (pack in pack out policy)
• Bury toilet waste (and use facilities where provided)Protect plants and animals
• Keep streams and lakes clean
• Take care with fire
• Camp carefully
• Keep to the track
• Consider others 
• Respect our cultural heritage
• Enjoy your visit