Hiking to the top of Fanthams Peak on New Zealand’s Mt. Taranaki is a great way to spend a sunny summer day. This walk takes you to the alpine wonderland of Mt. Taranaki.
Mt. Taranaki is a truly breathtaking mountain that reigns supreme over everything in the region. The peak can be seen from New Plymouth, Hawera, Opunake, and Stratford. On a clear day you can even see the peak from the slopes of Mt. Ruapheu in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. Fanthams Peak is the smaller peak coming out of the side of the main peak. This is a challenging, fun hike that should only be attempted in good weather.
Fanthams Peak Day Hike Highlights And Logistics
Highlights – alpine wonderland, superb views, and close up views of the summit.
Location – Dawson Falls visitor centre at Egmont National Park.
Length Of Walk – 5 – 6 hours round trip.
Difficulty – Advanced
Elevation Gain – 1,064 m (902 m at Dawson Falls to 1,966 m at Fanthams Peak)
About Fanthams Peak Day Hike
The walk to Fanthams Peak starts from the Dawson Falls visitor centre of Egmont National Park. The start of the trail slowly ascend through the famed goblin forest of the mountain. This forest is comprised of the gnarled trunks of the Kamahi trees completely covered in epiphytes.
About 45 minutes into the walk brings you to the Hillary Seat. This is a nice monument/bench that has great views of the mountain above you. From here you continue along through some subalpine scrub vegetation and pass by Hooker Shelter (which can be a much needed respite from rain) at 1,140 m elevation. You can see this in the above photo.
After Hooker shelter you will soon begin the real climbing. A long series of wooden stairs begins to winds its way up out of the scrub to the tussock and scoria slopes above. Soon after you start the stairs you will pass a turn off to Kapuni Lodge (a private lodge owned by the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club) about an hour and 15 minutes into your walk.
A dizzying climb up the stairs begins to give you incredible views. Soon you’ll pass the junction for the Upper Lake Dive Track and then you’ll finish the stairs and begin the fun, challenging scoria slopes.
The scoria slopes seem to last forever due to the tricky footing and slippery rocks. After the stairs the track becomes a poled route as you follow poles and make your way up the slope to the flat at the top of Fanthams Peak.
The views as you struggle up the steep scoria are amazing, so be sure to gaze out at the surrounding vistas as you catch your breath. Soon and with perseverance you’ll be at the top.
Once onto the flats at the top you still have a little ways to go across the flats to make it to the hut itself and some well earned rest.
My Insider’s Tips To Fanthams Peak Day Hike
Kapuni Lodge – This is a private lodge, but it can be booked to stay at by the public. You can find more about this nice, comfortable lodge that has solar powered lights, running water, and a fully stocked kitchen at the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club website here.
Symes Hut overnight – For those of you that are a bit hardier you can turn this walk into an overnight and stay at Symes Hut. This is a simple backcountry hut located on the flats of Fantham’s Peak. The hut offers shelter from the winds that can kick up here and is a great starting point for an alternate mountaineering route to the summit.