Pouakai Range tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Maude Track to Mangakotukutuku Falls
Mangakotukutuku Falls
Time: 3 hr return
Getting there
Follow Kent Road from State Highway 3 south of New Plymouth. Turn right on to Maude Road and follow it to the end. Limited car parking is available.
Description
From the road end the track crosses farmland to the boundary of Egmont National Park. From here it climbs a spur on the Pouakai Range, arriving finally at the Mangakotukutuku Falls. A Maori oven can be found just below the junction of the Falls track on the true left side. Care must be taken not to disturb this archaeological feature.
When crossing farmland please respect private property, leave gates as you find them and stay on the route.
Mangorei Track to Pouakai Hut
Time: 4 - 5 hr return
Getting there
The track begins at the end of Mangorei Road, New Plymouth.
Description
From the car parking area walk up the driveway, turning left at the water tank and heading into the bush. Often muddy in the lower reaches, the track climbs steadily to the 16 bunk Pouakai Hut. Walk five minutes past the hut for great views down over Ahukawakawa Swamp.
This is a good short day tramp, or you can stay over night at Pouakai Hut.
About the area
Once a mighty volcano of similar size to Mt Taranaki, the Pouakai Range has eroded to produce a rugged range of rolling hills covered in sub alpine bush. Tucked between the range and the mountain the Ahukawakawa Swamp is the largest montane mire in the park and home to 260 different plant species.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Location map
Related link:
Pouakai Range walks factsheet (PDF, 350K)