New Zealand Walks: Three interesting walks in

Three interesting walks in Egmont National Park

The majestic andesitic volcano Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont (2,518m) is the central point of the 34,170 ha Egmont National Park in Taranaki.

Around 125,000 years old it is the park’s most recent volcanic peak, last erupting around 1755AD, and is considered dormant. (lets hope so).

Local Maori believe Mounga (Mount Taranaki) once stood with the mountains of the central By Judy Eva North Island. After a dispute over the maiden Pihanga, Taranaki fled his ancestral home, carving out the bed of the Whanganui River on his journey to the coast of Taranaki. Egmont National Park became New Zealand’s second national park (after Tongariro) in 1900. Named Mount Egmont by Captain Cook the traditional name of Mount Taranaki is more widely used.

Beech trees cover most of New Zealand’s national parks; however in Egmont there is a beautiful native rain forest. Apart from the physical challenge and the fantastic scenery you also get the opportunity to learn something new about the history, fauna, flora as well as stories from Maori culture.

There are a walks to suit all levels of fitness, we chose three the first on our list of choice being the longest. Wilkies Rock Loop Track

The Wilkies Pool Loop Track takes you to a series of pools formed by the scouring action of water born-sand and gravel on 20,000 year old lava. This 2.3km track begins at the car park Visitor Centre and takes from one and a half to two hour return.

Check that the stream is low as there is no bridge back across to the other side when reaching the end of the loop. If the stream is up high you will have to return the way you

Left: Wilkies Pool and rock climbing very little water flow at the time.

Three interesting walks in Egmont National Park

started from.

Before leaving the Dawson Falls Information Centre check that the stream is safe to cross at the exit point. As you enter onto the track that takes you to Wilkes Pool on the right hand side just before you climb the path you will see the stream.

There is a little grassy path you can walk down and are able to see at just what level it is at, this is your guide. The walk to the pools is well signposted and you will be treated to the most wonderful stroll through the magnificent goblin forest of twisted kamahi trunks hanging with ferns and mosses, wetland board bridges and sub alpine scrub.

The track to the pools is an upgrade climb with views of the stream and parts of the mountain. You will reach a beautiful swing bridge and a great view of Wilkies Pool where you will cross Kapuni Stream for another view of the pools and to continue the loop walk.

If you are feeling energetic and the stream is low at the pools you can climb to the top of the rock ridge a great entertainment for children in the summer months.

Take their swimsuits and the children can splash around in the crystal clear water. The loop track is well signposted on the far side of the bridge.

From here on it is a challenging and uphill steep climb and an uneven narrow rocky track through sub alpine scrub and montane forest. There are a series of bubbling little waterfalls tumbling from the cliff face, Twin Falls and bubbling springs. Further on you will pass the old now defunct water intake weir that was used for the Dawson Power Station many years ago.

You then walk through a wide river valley to where there is a steep bank down to the stream with an iron ladder set into the face.

Climb down this to where you will exit the walk and cross the steam back to the other side and to the visitor centre. This involves having to rock hop across the stream which can only be achieved when it is extremely low.

A walking pole or stick is advised to steady yourself as the rocks can be slippery. Above: Walkers in the Goblin Forest..

Turn left on the other side and back to the visitor centre. The section of track from the Wilkies Pool Bridge onward is not suitable for the faint hearted or small children, it took us two hours. The first 900m to the pools is stroller (pushchair) friendly. Dawson Falls and

Karapuni Loop Track.

The Dawson Falls an 18m waterfall was named after Thomas Dawson the first European to discover it in 1885. To the Maori the falls are known as Te Rere o Noke ( the falls of Noke), a Maori warrior who hid from his pursuers behind the falls.

The falls can be reached from the Information Visitors Centre walk 400m down Mania Road to the sign on the left of the road. Watch out for traffic as the road is very narrow.

On your way you will pass the old Dawson Falls Power Station, signposted, well worth a visit, one of the world’s oldest continuously operating generators, from where you can hear the Kapuni Stream which drives the generator that provides electricity for the Dawson Falls Tourist lodge.

It has been in continuous operation since 1935 and was built in New York in 1900 and previously in service in Tasmania before being shipped to Taranaki. Walkers can look into the machine room, thanks to push button illumination. The intake weir of which can be viewed on your walk around the Wilkies Pool Loop Track.

To get to the Dawson Falls further down the road it is signed Dawson Falls - Kapuni Loop.

The 1.4 Kapuni Loop Track down to Dawson Falls travels along the Kapuni Stream through goblin forest of subalpine trees. Enter here descend the short stepped track turn right to continue along the track to the falls.

There is a viewing platform at the top of the falls but when we were there it was overgrown and not a good view, the beauty is at the bottom which involves making your way down very steep uneven

Above top: The end of the loop walk requires negotiating this stream to get back to the car park and information Centre. We were able to cross here but if it is in flood you have to return the long way back over the swing bridge.

Above middle: The DOC signposts are much needed on the loop walk return.

Three interesting walks in Egmont National Park

Above left: The boardwalk and swingbridge to Wilkies Pool.

Below right: Dawson Falls. old stairs that were in dire need of improving. Hopefully that has happened as they are dangerous, wet and very slippery. Not for the faint hearted or young children unless the children are carried. On reaching the bottom the view is worth the effort.

Climbing to the top again is an effort if you are not fit, it is extremely steep. From there you can continue back to the information centre by continuing left along the Kapuni Loop Track along the top of the stream, through ‘goblin forest’ which will take you back across Mania Road to the information centre and car park, about 30 minutes.

There are many beautiful walks on this mountain on the lower slopes but be wary as the weather can change very quickly.

We did the above walks in the Autumn before the snow had reached the lower level and it is advisable to do it then or in the summer months.

Many higher tracks are best left for experienced trampers. In the summer months the parking area is overloaded and it is advisable to get

there early. The information centre has a gift shop, cafe, toilets and brochures on all the different options for walks. Make sure you have good walking shoes and clothing to suit the weather. Many of the tracks are steep and when wet very slippery. Check with the visitor centre before leaving.

The visitor centre is open 9am - 4pm Thursday to Sunday all year round, sometimes on public holidays dependant on staff availability. Phone 027 443-0248 for any information you may need.

To get to the East Egmont Walks and Dawson Falls, just 20 minutes drive from Stratford SH 3 take Opunake Road, the falls are signposted. From SH 45 take Mania Road. There are definitely no pets allowed in the national park. No dogs even in cars. There is a massive fine. A very enjoyable experience and worth the effort. Do not forget your camera, you are entering a photographers paradise. Above: View of Mt Egmont from the track up to Wilkies Pool. Below right: Care is needed negotiating the waterfalls on the loop walk