Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the northern side of the swamp the track begins a long climb along a forested ridge.
The 304m ascent to the junction with the Pouakai Track is a one- to 1½-hour effort, with the
first 20 to 30 minutes the steepest part. The track then levels briefly, before continuing at a
more gentle incline. If the day is nice, views of the swamp and Mt Taranaki rising above it
are well worth the knee-bending effort. If it's raining, this can be a bit of a slog, even with
all the steps that have been installed.
Two hours from Holly Hut you top out at a saddle that opens up to views of New Ply-
mouth, and reach
Pouakai Track
at a signposted junction. Head northeast (right), as the
track sidles around the north side of the
Hump
(1292m) and then makes a short descent to a
signposted junction with Mangorei Track. Those with sharp eyes will see a corner of Pou-
akai Hut 15 to 20 minutes before reaching it.
Pouakai Hut
(16 bunks) is just five minutes down Mangorei Track (left), about 2½ hours
from Holly Hut. Nestled on the west side of the ridge, it has grand views from its veranda
over the curved coastline and New Plymouth. The sunsets can be spectacular from this
perch, followed by the city lights of New Plymouth gradually flickering on.
Mangorei Track is a good exit off the mountain in bad weather, and the final leg of the
Pouakai Crossing.
SIDE TRIP: MT POUAKAI
2 HOURS, 6KM RETURN, 200M ASCENT
Pouakai Hut is in such a scenic location that you may be tempted to spend a spare day here.
If so, use part of it to climb to the summit of
Mt Pouakai
(1400m) for even better views of
the Taranaki region. To get there, head back up to the Pouakai Track junction and turn right.
It's a one-hour (3km) climb from here along a route that marches straight to the top of the
peak.
Day 2: Pouakai Hut to North Egmont
5-7 HOURS, 13KM, 744M ASCENT, 966M DESCENT
Keep your fingers crossed for clear weather as you traverse the backbone of the Pouakai
Range because the views are superb.
Return to the Pouakai Track and head northeast (left) to follow the tussocky ridge for a
level and scenic stretch, with New Plymouth on one side of you and Mt Taranaki on the oth-
er. Within 1km of the hut you reach the
Pouakai Tarns
. On a clear and windless day, Mt
