The Pouakai Tarns walk from Mangorei road end is a GREAT day walk in Taranaki. This is the shortest way to get to the famed Pouakai tarns.
Ever since the Lonely Planet listed the region as one of the must visit places in the country the trails have been getting a bit more crowded. Visitors are discovering how amazing the Taranaki region of New Zealand is and especially the Pouakai tarns. Locals lament the increase in visitors, but fortunately this area receives nowhere near the numbers that visit the other North Island highlights such as Rotorua and the Tongariro Crossing. This trail from Mangorei Road is the quickest way to see the iconic Pouakai tarns.
Pouakai Tarns Trail Highlights And Logistics
Highlights – Pouakai tarns reflecting Mount Taranaki (on a good day), forest, and views.
Location – End of Mangorei Road to access Mt. Egmont National Park in the Taranaki region of the North Island.
Length Of Walk – About 12 km or 4 hours round trip
Difficulty – Moderate
Day Hike To Pouakai Tarns Via Mangorei Road
One of the most famous photos that people see in the Taranaki region is the reflection of Mount Taranaki in water. From the photos it’s unclear how big the water is. Well, the ‘lake’ is actually a tarn that is not very large.
The tarn may not be large, but the views from the end of the tarn of Mount Taranaki’s reflection in it are stunning and worth the walk. I’ve done this walk more than any other on the mountain because the view keeps drawing me back.
Walking up the stairs.
The track starts at the end of Mangorei road and begins along a small gravel road for 5 minutes before entering some nice lowland forest with huge rimu and rata trees. The first 20 minutes of so of the walk is a gradual uphill, which gives way to a long series of wooden stairs.
You are going up from the carpark until you reach just past Pouakai hut 500 meters higher and about 1 1/2 hours later. After spending that long in the forest the view you get when you crest the ridge and reach a saddle is mind blowing.
Every time I arrive at the top I am shocked at how big the mountain looks. You can see the top of it and then more and more of it as you reach the saddle until the whole enormity of it is in front of you. The view is more stunning because you are seeing it from the Pouakai ridge across the Ahukawakawa swamp.
The iconic Pouakai tarns.
From the saddle a short 20 minutes more brings you to the tarns. DOC has built a nice boardwalk and viewing platform around the tarn. Be sure to stay on the boardwalk as the tarn is in a fragile area and with the increased visitors the area can easily get damaged.
The tarn supports a fragile ecosystem so DON’T get in in the water! Take some photos, eat a snack and then return the way you came.
My Insider Tips
This is the sweeping views from near Pouakai trig.
If you have the inclination and energy there are a couple of side trips you can add on to this walk to make it longer. Further along the track leads you to Henry’s Peak. Or from the saddle go the opposite direction for about one hour to Pouakai Trig.
To get the best photos of the reflection in the tarns you want a windless day. That is more important than just a sunny day. In fact, some clouds drifting in front of the mountain are more dramatic than a clear day.
Try and get an early or late start for best lighting at the tarn. If you can arrive for sunrise or sunset you may get lucky and have the tarn to yourself or share it with a couple others. You may also get less wind at that time.