Mount Taranaki Summit Track
Alert/Important notice
Winter conditions on Mt Taranaki
As winter approaches there is ice/snow and frozen scoria on upper mountain slopes. The marked route into the crater is iced over. Access to the summit and upper mountain will require alpine equipment and experience.
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
up 5-6 hr; down 3-4 hr
Distance:
6.3 km one way
Description
Rising above the clouds, the 2518 m summit of this dormant volcano offers spectacular views to those who make the challenging climb to its peak.
Summer route description only – upper route changes in winter conditions
The Puffer on route to the summit of Mt Taranaki
North Egmont to Tahurangi Lodge (1492 m) - 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr
The summit track begins above the North Egmont car park adjacent to the red Camphouse building. Climb the stile over the locked gate and wind up the gravel road to Tahurangi Lodge (private). Sections of this track are very steep. There is a public toilet 100m below the lodge.
Tahurangi Lodge to the summit (2518 m) - 3 - 4 hr
The track passes in front of the Tahurangi Lodge and continues upwards, via the poled route through the rock covered Hongi Valley. A series of steps leads out of the valley onto the steep scoria slopes.
The scoria slope continues west of the Snow Valley to the Lizard (2314m) a prominent rocky ridge which leads up to the crater entrance. Sections of this route involve clambering over rocks. The route then crosses the crater ice to the final short climb up to the summit rock (2518m). Warning: there is ice in the crater all year round. Crampons and/or ice axe may be required to cross the crater at any time.
Mt Taranaki has great spiritual significance to local Maori: the crater and summit is the sacred head of Taranaki, the rocks and ridge are his bones, rivers his blood and plants and trees are his cloak and offer protection from the weather.
Please respect the mountain, we ask that you do not stand directly on the summit stone, and do not litter or camp on the summit.
Return via the same route.
Getting there
Scoria slopes lead to the summit
The Mount Taranaki Summit Track is located in the Egmont National Park in Taranaki.
The track access point is at the North Egmont Visitor Centre, approximately 30 min drive from New Plymouth. Drive south on State Highway 3 to Egmont Village and turn right onto Egmont Road. North Egmont is at the end of this road.
Activities
Guided walks
Places to stay
Booked accommodation is available at the Camphouse at North Egmont road end.
Plan and prepare
This track should be attempted only in good weather.
Mt Taranaki has changeable and unpredictable weather, contact the metservice ph 0900 99 24 or www.metservice.com for the latest forecast before you go and carry enough clothing and equipment to ensure you are equipped for any type of weather. Trampers need to take plenty of drinking water as none is available on the track.
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:
Mt Taranaki summit climb brochure (PDF, 1300K)
Guides and commercial tourism providers