Taranaki, Whanganui & Around Wellington - Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand - page 229

Day 1: North Egmont to Pouakai Hut
5-6 HOURS, 12KM, 348M ASCENT, 200M DESCENT
The tramp begins along Holly Hut Track , signposted near the Camphouse. The track climbs
steadily up steps, gaining 240m and passing the Ambury Monument on the way to a trig
(1181m), where, if the day is clear, you are rewarded with spectacular views of Mt Taranaki
and the valleys below. The track continues beyond the trig and up the narrow Razorback
ridge, ascending another 100m, before leaving the lava flow and sidling around the slope.
Within an hour (3km) of leaving the Camphouse you reach a signposted junction. The left
turn takes you via the Around the Mountain Circuit to Stratford Plateau.
The Pouakai Circuit continues past the junction and follows the well-marked Holly Hut
Track as it climbs around the headwaters of the Waiwhakaiho River and along the base of
the Dieffenbach Cliffs , which rise above you. Enjoy views of New Plymouth while skirting
the mountain's northern flanks for the next hour or so.
The track descends slightly to the headwaters of Kokowai Stream and cuts across Boom-
erang Slip . Extreme care must be used when tramping across this slide of loose rocks and
dirt. From the slip the track works around the head of Kokowai Stream, and then gently
climbs a prominent ridge to the junction with the signposted Kokowai Track. From this
point you will be able to view Ahukawakawa Swamp and much of the track up the Pouakai
Range.
Head west (left), following the track as it descends 244m over 2.5km to the junction with
the Ahukawakawa Track (the right fork). Turn left to reach Holly Hut (32 bunks), five
minutes away across the unbridged Minarapa Stream. This is a popular place to spend a
night, with Mt Taranaki looming behind and good views of the Pouakai Range from the ver-
anda.
If you have spare time, consider going the extra distance from Holly Hut to the spectacu-
lar 31m-high Bells Falls , around 30 minutes away. From the hut follow the sign to Bells
Falls. The track heads across Holly Flats before swinging north around the Dome and des-
cending towards the Stony River. At the signposted junction turn right to Bells Falls and fol-
low the track upstream to the base of the falls.
Trampers continuing to Pouakai Hut should return from Holly Hut to the Ahukawakawa
Track, and follow it. Within 500m the track reaches an elaborate viewing platform and then
descends to the southwest end of Ahukawakawa Swamp . This remarkable sphagnum moss
swamp is crossed via 1km of boardwalks, including an unusual arched bridge over Stony
River.