Pouakai Range tramping tracks

From here it climbs a spur on the Pouakai Range, arriving finally at the Mangakotukutuku Falls.

A Māori oven can be found just below the junction of the Falls track on the true left side. Care must be taken not to disturb this archaeological feature.

When crossing farmland please respect private property, leave gates as you find them and stay on the route.

Getting there: Follow Kent Road from State Highway 3 south of New Plymouth. Turn right onto Maude Road and follow it to the end. Limited car parking available.

Mangorei Track to Pouakai Hut

Time: 4 to 5 hours return or overnight

Distance: 5 km to the hut

From the car parking area walk up the driveway, turning left at the water tank and heading into the bush.

The track climbs steadily up many steps to the 16 bunk Pouakai Hut. Walk five minutes past the hut for great views down over Ahukawakawa Swamp.

From here turn left at the track junction to access the Pouakai Tarns (pools) – a further 10 minutes walk along the Pouakai Track.

This is a good short day tramp, or you can stay overnight at Pouakai Hut.

Getting there: The track begins at the end of Mangorei Road, New Plymouth. Limited car parking available on the roadside.

Dover Track to Pouakai Hut

Time: 4 to 5 hours one-way or overnight

Distance: 7.8 km to the hut

From the track entrance, this challenging track climbs steeply to an exposed spur leading up to Pouakai Trig.

From here the track descends to the Pouakai Track junction and on to meet the Mangorei Track junction.

Turn downhill here for a 5-minute walk to Pouakai Hut.

Expect overgrown sections, tree windfalls and some scrambling over rocky outcrops.