Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Falls often travel clockwise and go directly to Waiaua Gorge Hut via the upper level tracks
on Day 1. Note that high- and low-level tracks exist for some sections. Generally trampers
take the high road in good weather, the low road in bad.
The Tramp
Day 1: North Egmont to Holly Hut
3-4 HOURS, 8KM, 348M ASCENT, 200M DESCENT
Follow Day 1 of the Pouakai Circuit (
Click here
)
as far as Holly Hut.
Day 2: Holly Hut to Waiaua Gorge Hut
7-9 HOURS, 13KM
The track crosses Holly Flats then swings north around the
Dome
(1052m) and steadily des-
cends on steps to the Stony River. The 30-minute detour to view the spectacular
Bells Falls
is worthwhile.
Continue in a generally westerly direction beside - and sometimes along the river bed of
-
Stony River
, taking care as it is severely eroded. You will need to look carefully for mark-
er poles.
Around 4km from Holly Hut the entrance to the
Kapoaiaia Track
is on the true left of the
river. Follow this track across two badly eroded stream beds to reach
Puniho Track
. From
here there are two options, each going their own way for around two hours before meeting
again.
For the high track, turn left and follow Puniho Track uphill into subalpine forest and
around to Kahui Hut, then continue down
Kahui Track
to turn left at the Oaonui Track junc-
tion.
For the low track, continue along Kapoaiaia Track through the forest, crossing many
streams to the junction with the Kahui and Oaonui Tracks.
Both options then follow the
Oaonui Track
about two hours, climbing in and out of nu-
merous gullies. Finally you meet
Ihaia Track
; turn left and follow it to Waiaua Gorge Hut,
being careful to look for markers along the open riverbed section.
Built in 1984, the hut is situated on the cliffs above the deep Waiaua Gorge and provides
excellent views of Taranaki's western slopes.