Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
North Egmont
End
End of Mangorei Rd
Nearest Town
New Plymouth (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
Take the major highlights of Egmont National Park, pack them into a day tramp,
and you've got a crossing that just
might
challenge Tongariro for NZ's top-day-walk crown.
This increasingly popular day tramp packs plenty of panoramic punch without the need to
lug a heavy pack filled with overnight gear. It's also a great option for those based in New
Plymouth, allowing you a grand day out with a debrief under the bright lights of the city. Its
relatively low altitude means it can also be completed around 320 days of the year.
Starting at the North Egmont Visitor Centre, the track follows the first day of the Pouakai
Circuit as far as Pouakai Hut before heading down Mangorei Track to the road's end, where
you can be collected by shuttle bus for the return trip to town. Along the way it takes in a
spectacular array of the national park's highlights, including Dieffenbach Cliffs, Bells Falls,
the primeval Ahukawakawa Swamp and the Pouakai Tarns. It's a full-on day, but a hugely
satisfying one.
Local shuttle operators and tramping guides will gladly get you to and from the trail-
heads.
The Tramp
8-10 HOURS, 17KM, 952M ASCENT, 1385M DESCENT
Follow the route for Day 1 of the Pouakai Circuit, from North Egmont to Pouakai Hut
(
Click here
)
. If you're a steady tramper you should have no trouble factoring in the side trips
to Holly Hut and on to Bells Falls.
From Pouakai Hut there are other side trips that should not be missed if you can help it:
the two-hour return trip to Mt Pouakai (1400m), and the part of the track towards Henry
Peak as far as the Pouakai Tarns, where you should break out the camera for the obligatory
snapshots. You'll need to allow another hour if you wish to head up and down Henry Peak
(1224m) with its 360-degree panorama.
