Pouākai Tarns by the Mangorei Track

From the car park just before the end of Mangorei Road, take the short path up to the road end and follow the signs up a private driveway into the bush. The Mangorei Track then climbs steadily, almost all on wooden steps and boardwalk, through regenerating forest and mountain cedar into low alpine scrub, and reaches Pouākai Hut. Five minutes past the hut, at a junction looking over the Ahukawakawa wetland, turn left onto the Pouākai Track and walk about ten minutes to the boardwalk at the tarns. On a still day they mirror the cone of Taranaki Maunga. Return the same way.

It is 12.5 km there and back with 746 m of ascent; allow about 5½ hours. The grade is Hard: a long, steady climb, almost all on steps and boardwalk.

The upper track is alpine and often holds snow and ice in winter and spring. Taranaki's weather turns quickly, so wear boots and carry warm, waterproof layers even in summer. The steps and battens can trip you on the way down. Day walkers need no booking, but nights at Pouākai Hut must be booked.

We found no fee or time limit at the Mangorei Road car park. It is about 20 minutes' drive from New Plymouth: south on SH3, then 13.6 km up Mangorei Road. DOC says commercial shuttles are available.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.