North Egmont Visitor Centre - Mount Taranaki [05/03/2017]
Trail photos
![Photo ofNorth Egmont Visitor Centre - Mount Taranaki [05/03/2017]](https://s1.wklcdn.com/image_39/1179814/16668479/10464691Master.jpg)
![Photo ofNorth Egmont Visitor Centre - Mount Taranaki [05/03/2017]](https://s2.wklcdn.com/image_39/1179814/16668479/10464692.400x300.jpg)
![Photo ofNorth Egmont Visitor Centre - Mount Taranaki [05/03/2017]](https://s1.wklcdn.com/image_39/1179814/16668479/10464739.400x300.jpg)
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.71 mi
- Elevation gain
- 5,269 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 5,269 ft
- Max elevation
- 8,307 ft
- TrailRank
- 72
- Min elevation
- 3,123 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 9 hours 11 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1169
- Uploaded
- March 6, 2017
- Recorded
- March 2017
near North Mount Egmont, Taranaki (New Zealand)
Viewed 1432 times, downloaded 70 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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Route from the North Egmont Visitor Center to the summit of Mount Taranaki, passing through The Camphouse and the Tahurangi Lodge (via Translator Road), and ending the Summit Track summit, and undoing the Summit Track to the Tahurangi Lodge, and going through a different route from here (including sections of the Around the Mountain Circuit, Holly Hut Track and Veronica Loop Track, and also the Ambury Monument) on the way back.
The route begins at the North Egmont Visitor Center in the morning, taking into account that it lasts between 8 and 10 hours including the return (according to the DOC, Department of Conservation). The center also has posters, newsletters and a person in charge to obtain information about routes and weather conditions. There is also a small store and public toilets. Following the big sign that is right in front of the center, which indicates all the routes that begin or pass through here, the next point is a platform that looks out over both Mount Taranaki (the immense volcano dominating the Egmont National Park) and the extension of forests, fields and towns that can be observed from this height. The sunrise reflecting the mountain produces a marvelous effect. From here, you will soon reach The Camphouse, a refuge for payment that has good facilities, and begins the Translator Road, a very steep and apt road for cars, with stretches of sand and others stretches of stone, which is already a warning of the rise that will come. As a reward, you get the first spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, and you can even see the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park outlined on the horizon. The road continues to ascend until you reach the Tahurangi Lodge, another private refuge halfway to the summit. Previously, some very basic public toilets can be found. At this point, a sign warns that only half of the road has been completed, and that the section is still more difficult, and if it has suffered to get there, go back. It also reminds you that you need to bring enough water and adequate clothing, as well as checking the weather. The path adapted for cars, then, ends here, and after climbing on some rocks, you reach a wooden staircase that leads to the most uniform slope of the mountain. Once the stairs have risen, and with only half of the total accumulated difference, a stretch of one kilometer begins, but it seems infinite. It is advisable to follow the footsteps of the walkers that have passed before, so that the accumulation of sand and stones is already compact and the possibility of sliding is reduced. However, the path becomes hard and heavy, and you can not enjoy the landscape as much as you would like. Each certain distance (always the same, more or less), there are some orange marks that mark the path, and that they can also serve to stop at rest. After overcoming the harsh scree, the same milestones indicate that it is necessary to climb the rocks to follow the path; In a way, this new environment is appreciated if it means that the peat is abandoned, since at least the rocks are firmer and allow to use all the effort to go up. However, the path continues rising, and you have to help yourself and your feet to continue to the summit. From the rocks you can also see the Pouakai plateau, with the Pouakai Tarns if the view is right. Once reached above, or at least to the point that it seemed from the rocky area and the rocks, the first snow plates are discovered, as well as a long snow language that comes from the summit; Despite being March (late summer in New Zealand), snow from the highest mountain areas has not yet had time to melt. After passing by the snow-tongue side, you finally reach the volcano crater, where you can see that it is also filled with snow. In fact, you must cross the crater to go to the summit of Mount Taranaki, so you have to be careful when it's time to step on the snow, because it slides. The top of the volcano has two characteristic spikes: the Sharks Tooth ("Shark Dandelion"), which is on the left side of the route that has been made to reach the summit, and the peak of Mount Taranaki, which is the most High and where this route is finished. Therefore, once the crater is crossed, it is necessary to climb some 60 meters by rocks to reach the summit. Finally, above all, you can see almost everything. The Sharks Tooth looks imposing right in front of it, the crater looks like a giant little pineapple, and the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park are now clearly on the horizon; In fact, the snow of the thickest volcano, the Ruapehu, is perfectly distinguished. Around the top, you can see views of the north, east, south and west of the mountain, dominating all the slopes. The large circular forest area surrounding the volcano is also evident, as well as the meadows that follow (until the sea of clouds prevents it from reaching it further). This circular forest area can be seen clearly from the satellite images, and was established in 1881 to convert the area into a forest reserve (a circle of 9.6 kilometers of radius was drawn up, that is to say, 6 miles, from the top). On the summit it is cold because it runs the air, as they say from the North Egmont Visitor Center when they talk about the weather forecast, but protecting themselves from the wind behind a rock may be enough to enjoy the views in good condition .
After resisting a good time to leave, with a landscape that would leave anyone embarrassed, it is decided to start the way back undoing part of the same way of going. The descent can be as much or more complicated than the ascent to the rocks and the scree. On the rocks, it is harder to help with the hands and the feet must be well assured, and the peat may be preferable to go away by sliding until the same accumulation of sand and stones breaks the feet; In this sense, the thickest stones give more sense of security than sand or the smaller stones, which are more unstable. When the hell of the peat ends, the stairs appear (before enemies, now definitely friends) who drive almost to the Tahurangi Lodge. In this case, however, before arriving at the refuge, it is decided to go back on another route to make the route a bit more circular and avoid going twice in the same way. A part of the path known as the Around the Mountain Circuit (AMC) is used, a circular path of about 52 kilometers that goes round the mountain. Doing just one part of it, and following a very narrow path where just the two legs pass, you will reach the crossroads of the Holly Hut Track. In this route you can see large blocks of igneous rocks, probably basaltic for form and color, as well as views of the ridge known as The Razorback, and other views from the North Ridge. After watching the views from the viewpoint of the Holly Hut Track, this route sticks with the Veronica Loop Track, a very short circuit with start and end in the North Egmont Visitor Center. Going through this route, you will reach the Ambury Monument, a monument dedicated to Arthur Hamilton Ambury, who in June 1918 lost his life trying to rescue another person who had been trapped in the mountain , and finally you will reach the North Egmont Visitor Center, the starting point.
This is a rather complicated route, not only due to the unevenness, which is quite high, but also due to the technical difficulty, since it is necessary to overcome steep paths, slip down, climb rocks, and step on the snow. The signage is almost unbeatable, and where there are no signs indicating the direction of the summit, there are unmistakable orangey landmarks that lead to the crater. However, once in the crater there is no indication that you indicate where the summit is, nor any marked path, although with a map or some previous knowledge it is easy to guess. In this case the route has been made in late summer, so the presence of snow has been almost zero (just above the crater), and without rain, so that the peat and rocks, if Very complicated, they have been better done. To be summer, then, it is necessary to protect yourself well from the sun by putting on a cap and sunscreen, since the bare mountain does not offer any shade as the path approaches the summit. It is advisable not to do this route in case of rain, and to do it during the winter you have to follow totally different recommendations (there is a lot of information in the network or the same information points of the Egmont National Park). Anyway, the views above the clouds once at the top are spectacular, and it is clear that the land on a map seems so small and affordable, it is actually much larger and more extensive. For anyone who is fit and willing to overcome the difficulties of the road, this route is much more than advisable.
The route begins at the North Egmont Visitor Center in the morning, taking into account that it lasts between 8 and 10 hours including the return (according to the DOC, Department of Conservation). The center also has posters, newsletters and a person in charge to obtain information about routes and weather conditions. There is also a small store and public toilets. Following the big sign that is right in front of the center, which indicates all the routes that begin or pass through here, the next point is a platform that looks out over both Mount Taranaki (the immense volcano dominating the Egmont National Park) and the extension of forests, fields and towns that can be observed from this height. The sunrise reflecting the mountain produces a marvelous effect. From here, you will soon reach The Camphouse, a refuge for payment that has good facilities, and begins the Translator Road, a very steep and apt road for cars, with stretches of sand and others stretches of stone, which is already a warning of the rise that will come. As a reward, you get the first spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, and you can even see the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park outlined on the horizon. The road continues to ascend until you reach the Tahurangi Lodge, another private refuge halfway to the summit. Previously, some very basic public toilets can be found. At this point, a sign warns that only half of the road has been completed, and that the section is still more difficult, and if it has suffered to get there, go back. It also reminds you that you need to bring enough water and adequate clothing, as well as checking the weather. The path adapted for cars, then, ends here, and after climbing on some rocks, you reach a wooden staircase that leads to the most uniform slope of the mountain. Once the stairs have risen, and with only half of the total accumulated difference, a stretch of one kilometer begins, but it seems infinite. It is advisable to follow the footsteps of the walkers that have passed before, so that the accumulation of sand and stones is already compact and the possibility of sliding is reduced. However, the path becomes hard and heavy, and you can not enjoy the landscape as much as you would like. Each certain distance (always the same, more or less), there are some orange marks that mark the path, and that they can also serve to stop at rest. After overcoming the harsh scree, the same milestones indicate that it is necessary to climb the rocks to follow the path; In a way, this new environment is appreciated if it means that the peat is abandoned, since at least the rocks are firmer and allow to use all the effort to go up. However, the path continues rising, and you have to help yourself and your feet to continue to the summit. From the rocks you can also see the Pouakai plateau, with the Pouakai Tarns if the view is right. Once reached above, or at least to the point that it seemed from the rocky area and the rocks, the first snow plates are discovered, as well as a long snow language that comes from the summit; Despite being March (late summer in New Zealand), snow from the highest mountain areas has not yet had time to melt. After passing by the snow-tongue side, you finally reach the volcano crater, where you can see that it is also filled with snow. In fact, you must cross the crater to go to the summit of Mount Taranaki, so you have to be careful when it's time to step on the snow, because it slides. The top of the volcano has two characteristic spikes: the Sharks Tooth ("Shark Dandelion"), which is on the left side of the route that has been made to reach the summit, and the peak of Mount Taranaki, which is the most High and where this route is finished. Therefore, once the crater is crossed, it is necessary to climb some 60 meters by rocks to reach the summit. Finally, above all, you can see almost everything. The Sharks Tooth looks imposing right in front of it, the crater looks like a giant little pineapple, and the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park are now clearly on the horizon; In fact, the snow of the thickest volcano, the Ruapehu, is perfectly distinguished. Around the top, you can see views of the north, east, south and west of the mountain, dominating all the slopes. The large circular forest area surrounding the volcano is also evident, as well as the meadows that follow (until the sea of clouds prevents it from reaching it further). This circular forest area can be seen clearly from the satellite images, and was established in 1881 to convert the area into a forest reserve (a circle of 9.6 kilometers of radius was drawn up, that is to say, 6 miles, from the top). On the summit it is cold because it runs the air, as they say from the North Egmont Visitor Center when they talk about the weather forecast, but protecting themselves from the wind behind a rock may be enough to enjoy the views in good condition .
After resisting a good time to leave, with a landscape that would leave anyone embarrassed, it is decided to start the way back undoing part of the same way of going. The descent can be as much or more complicated than the ascent to the rocks and the scree. On the rocks, it is harder to help with the hands and the feet must be well assured, and the peat may be preferable to go away by sliding until the same accumulation of sand and stones breaks the feet; In this sense, the thickest stones give more sense of security than sand or the smaller stones, which are more unstable. When the hell of the peat ends, the stairs appear (before enemies, now definitely friends) who drive almost to the Tahurangi Lodge. In this case, however, before arriving at the refuge, it is decided to go back on another route to make the route a bit more circular and avoid going twice in the same way. A part of the path known as the Around the Mountain Circuit (AMC) is used, a circular path of about 52 kilometers that goes round the mountain. Doing just one part of it, and following a very narrow path where just the two legs pass, you will reach the crossroads of the Holly Hut Track. In this route you can see large blocks of igneous rocks, probably basaltic for form and color, as well as views of the ridge known as The Razorback, and other views from the North Ridge. After watching the views from the viewpoint of the Holly Hut Track, this route sticks with the Veronica Loop Track, a very short circuit with start and end in the North Egmont Visitor Center. Going through this route, you will reach the Ambury Monument, a monument dedicated to Arthur Hamilton Ambury, who in June 1918 lost his life trying to rescue another person who had been trapped in the mountain , and finally you will reach the North Egmont Visitor Center, the starting point.
This is a rather complicated route, not only due to the unevenness, which is quite high, but also due to the technical difficulty, since it is necessary to overcome steep paths, slip down, climb rocks, and step on the snow. The signage is almost unbeatable, and where there are no signs indicating the direction of the summit, there are unmistakable orangey landmarks that lead to the crater. However, once in the crater there is no indication that you indicate where the summit is, nor any marked path, although with a map or some previous knowledge it is easy to guess. In this case the route has been made in late summer, so the presence of snow has been almost zero (just above the crater), and without rain, so that the peat and rocks, if Very complicated, they have been better done. To be summer, then, it is necessary to protect yourself well from the sun by putting on a cap and sunscreen, since the bare mountain does not offer any shade as the path approaches the summit. It is advisable not to do this route in case of rain, and to do it during the winter you have to follow totally different recommendations (there is a lot of information in the network or the same information points of the Egmont National Park). Anyway, the views above the clouds once at the top are spectacular, and it is clear that the land on a map seems so small and affordable, it is actually much larger and more extensive. For anyone who is fit and willing to overcome the difficulties of the road, this route is much more than advisable.
Waypoints
Information point
Mountain hut
Panorama
3,770 ft
Vista del Mount Taranaki des de la Translator Road
Vista del Mount Taranaki des de la Translator Road
Waypoint
4,898 ft
Lavabos públics abans d'arribar al Tahurangi Lodge
Lavabos públics abans d'arribar al Tahurangi Lodge
Panorama
5,696 ft
Vista del vessant nord-est del Mount Taranaki
Vista del vessant nord-est del Mount Taranaki
Summit
Panorama
8,304 ft
Vista del vessant sud-oest del Mount Taranaki
Vista del vessant sud-oest del Mount Taranaki
Panorama
7,684 ft
Vista de l'altiplà Pouakai (i dels Pouakai Tarns)
Vista de l'altiplà Pouakai (i dels Pouakai Tarns)
Photo
4,800 ft
Blocs de roques ígnies, probablement basàltiques
Blocs de roques ígnies, probablement basàltiques
Intersection
Comments (3)
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Llegint el teu comentari ens vénen moltes ganes de fer el cim! Ens fa una mica de por els canvis de temps sobtats d’aquí i que l’excursió és molt llarga. Ho consideres perillós? Gràcies!
(COMENTARI 1/2)
Sílvia, en primer lloc hauria de dir-vos que qui pot proporcionar-vos més informació (i la millor) sobre la ruta és el North Egmont Visitor Centre, incloent les condicions meteorològiques, que actualitzen cada dia detalladament. Per tant, el que us podré dir jo està basat només en l'experiència d'un sol dia.
És cert que el temps pot canviar sobtadament, i estic convençut que la dificultat de la ruta pot incrementar notablement si les condicions meteorològiques són més adverses que quan jo la vaig fer (dia serè, amb només una mica de boira durant el tram de la tartera); la pluja no crec que sigui massa amiga de la tartera, i la poca visibilitat pot dificultar la localització de les fites. Tanmateix, la senyalització de la ruta és molt bona en tot moment.
Si feu la ruta ara a principis d'estiu, també és probable que, a mesura que us acosteu al cim, trobeu més neu de la que vaig trobar jo, i suposo que si s'acumula en zones amb pendent fort la dificultat augmenta. Pel que fa al pendent, cal tenir en compte que no deixa d'enfilar-se fins al cim, i que el tram final és segurament el més complicat, amb un pendent pròxim al 50% (per cada 100 metres de desnivell, uns 200 metres de recorregut), i sumant-hi la tartera, que és força llarga i pesada, i algunes grimpades en arribar al cràter. És bàsicament per aquest motiu, per la dificultat tècnica, i no pas pel desnivell o la distància, que la ruta es fa tan llarga. La tartera potser és el que em va agradar menys, perquè requereix esforç en pujar-la, i concentració en baixar-la. De fet, quan vaig fer la ruta hi havia personal de manteniment del DOC que la baixava sense contemplacions i deixant-se emportar per les pedres que relliscaven; o sigui que amb tècnica i perdent una mica la por es pot baixar més ràpid i patint menys.
(COMENTARI 2/2)
En general, tot i que la dificultat depèn en gran mesura de les condicions físiques de cadascú, jo la consideraria una ruta difícil, però assequible si es comença aviat i es va sense pressa. En el meu cas, vaig veure alguna família amb mainada fent la ruta, per si fos el vostre cas. També hi ha altres rutes a l'Egmont National Park que no arriben al cim del Taranaki, però que són igualment espectaculars.
A tot això, no m'atreveixo a respondre-us si és una ruta perillosa, perquè depèn de molts factors, però amb preparació i informació prèvia, crec que no hauríeu de patir més enllà de l'esforç que requereix pujar al cim. El que sí que us recomanaria és que parléssiu amb el North Egmont Visitor Centre; allà us informaran de tot el que us calgui saber.
Si l'acabeu fent, espero que gaudiu tant com jo de la majestuositat del volcà i de les vistes des del cim; com sempre, per a un esforç d'aquest tipus no m'imagino una millor recompensa.
Sort! ;)