Majestically our Mt Taranaki stands in the background: view from our Port Taranaki

First snowfall for the new Millennium

Abseiling at Dawson Falls, Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki from Hawera

Natural waterslide at Wilkies Pool, Mount Taranaki

Snow trekking on Mount Taranaki

Waiting for sunrise on the Summit of Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki's casting a shadow over the town of Stratford

Abseiling Mount Taranaki

Stream Crossing

Ice climbing Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki viewed from Herekawe Reserve featuring carvings by local artist Michael Smither.

Adventure Outdoor pursuits and Mountain services.

Adventure Dynamics Outdoor pursuits for children and adults.

Tramping Tracks  in Mt Egmont National Park

Top Tracks website and Tramping with Trev Page

Photos by Frank Van Kuyk

Frank is a New Plymouth tramper and photographer who had traversed our Magnificent Mighty Mountain for many years

Mountain Services & outdoor adventures

On clear, windless days the scent of leaves and blossom hangs in the air. Bees drift into the waiting throats of the flowers. Beneath the upper canopy droop vines and the long, narrow leaves of perching plants. Penetrating sun shafts speckle the ferns and mosses with flickering light. The calm atmosphere is embroidered by the rich sounds of birds. On days when mountain mists enshroud the tree tops a quiet stillness descends to inhabit every space. A soft, green half-light pervades all things. The motionless air is drummed by the dropping of moisture to the forest floor. In places water sweeps softly over moss and rock. But the mountain forest is not always gentle. On to these rising slopes drive winds and rains and into the fibre of all plants and animals, the coldness of night penetrates with inescapable persistence. Gales bend the backs of the tallest trees and whip their tops into waves of frenzied protest. Weakened branches crack, and fall. And everywhere, as always, life adapts, and carries on…

by Bill Noel Kleeman

Mighty Mount Taranaki, isolated and surrounded by lush green countryside, blue sea and skies, protects the fertile region of Taranaki.

Mount Taranaki dominates our weather and everyday life with its ever changing moods. The mountain provides excellent climbing, skiing, tramping and photography. The mountain is the source of over 50 rivers and streams and is a botanically unique area. It contains a wide variety of vegetation from sub-tropical semi coastal forest in the Kaitake ranges through to sub alpine herb fields 1800 metres on the main cone.

Many bird species can also be found in the forests surrounding the mountain. Volcanic activity began in Taranaki some 1.7 million years ago. Mount Taranaki, 2518 metres, and Fanthams peak, 1692 metres, comprise the volcano, the youngest of four Taranaki volcanic centres.

Local tour operators will show you the way to have a stunning holiday, take in a day tramping to the summit of Mount Taranaki, try abseiling, rock climbing or simply visit for the stunning photography. Egmont National Park has Department of Conservation centres strategically placed for you to gain information and Stratford Information Centre is the gateway to our mighty mountain.

Walk upon our mighty mountain, or ride down the natural water slide that nature has provided, take in the natural lake on the mountain. Whatever you decide to do we promise that Mount Taranaki will make you want to stay.

Mighty, Majestic, Magical, totally awesome, the heart of Taranaki, the heart of the people, we encourage you to taste our wonderful lifestyle, Ski, tramp, climb in the morning and surf in the evening VERY TARANAKI.

Visitors experience the enjoyment of walking or tramping through the unspoiled natural environment of Mount Taranaki, taking in the native bush with its fascinating scenery. Most people visit the mountain for a short time and then return home missing the wonderful bush tracks that are available in various parts of the Egmont National Park. Equipment required includes: strong footwear, a parka or waterproof coat, a small pack of food, and warm spare clothing. All routes are well defined, but just in case anything should go wrong, please advise people where you are going and when you expect to return.

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Abseiling at Dawson Falls, Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki is a huge conical shaped volcano, which dominates the landscape. The volcano rises to 2518 metres out of the surrounding plain and is a 10 minute drive from the coastline. Mount Taranaki is surrounded by lush temperate rainforest and the area is protected with National Park status.

Couple get engaged on the Mount Taranaki Summit

Mount Taranaki also has a ski field. One of the best walks in the park is a 4 hour walk to Fanthams Peak. There is a hut at the top where you can stay overnight called Symes Hut. There are also three roads that take you part of the way up on different sides of the mountain and many walking tracks that take you the rest of the way to the summit.

Winter descent on Mount Taranaki (ice formation backdrop)

Ski preparation on Mount Taranaki skifield

Tramping on the slopes of Mount Taranaki

A tramping group resting on Mount Taranaki

There are over 300 kilometres of walking tracks in the Egmont National Park, making the forest, high alpine slopes and surrounding ranges among the most accessible areas in any of New Zealand's National Parks. Three well-sealed main roads lead up onto the mountain to the Visitor's Centre, Dawson Falls; to the Mountain House clearing, the Plateau and ski slopes at East Egmont and to the Visitor's Centre at North Egmont. These areas are focal points for a variety of short walks, day trips and the summit routes. Mount Taranaki also has a well developed Round-the-Mountain track with well spaced huts and alternative high level summer routes. One of the main advantages of these tracks for trampers is that it offers a number of points where you can walk off the mountain in bad weather by following one of the many access tracks down to a road. Further tramping tracks cross the adjoining Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges