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egmont
Walk on the wild side by climbing
the scoria-strewn slopes of a dormant volcano, which is ‘The
Most Climbed Mountain in New Zealand’.
Egmont National Park, on the western coast of the North Island,
is dominated by a perfectly shaped volcanic cone known as both Mt
Egmont and Mt Taranaki. This peak has a symmetry and profile that
resembles Japan’s Mt Fuji.
Mt Egmont’s 2,518 metre summit is more accessible than any
mountain of comparable height in New Zealand. Three sealed roads
ascend the densely forested flanks, bringing the mountain
facilities within a 30 minute drive of New Plymouth or Stratford.
The Egmont Road leads to North Egmont visitor centre, where there
is backpacker accommodation and several local bushwalks. The
Pembroke Road leads to Stratford Plateau, Manganui ski field and
a tourist lodge. The Manaia Road leads to Dawson Falls on the
southern slopes, where there is a visitor centre, two lodges and
superb local bushwalks.
Tramping on the mountain is a pure delight with 300 kms of tracks
available. The main climbing route to the summit starts at North
Egmont, and you need to allow 6 to 8 hours for the return trip.
The ‘Round the Mountain Track’ is 55 km and takes 3 to
5 days to complete. You can start and finish at any park entrance
and there are comfortable huts en route. Another round trip takes
in the old eroded volcanoes of Kaitake and Pouakai, which once
stood higher than Egmont. Views from the elevated tramping tracks
extend to the Whanganui River Valley and Tongariro National Park.
Family walks from the visitor centres are a ‘must see’
attraction because of their unique enchanted forests. High
rainfall of around 7 metres a year, combined with regular frost
conditions, produce fascinating gnarled and twisted moss-covered
trees straight out of a fairytale goblin scene.
Take time out to tread the leafy paths of Egmont National Park
and admire its dramatic waterfalls, weird forests and castle rock
formations.
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