How to Climb Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

Mount Taranaki's perfect volcanic and often snow-capped cone rises 8,261 feet above sea level and dominates the landscape of the New Zealand province that shares its name. The mountain, also known as Mount Egmont, attracts reasonably fit hikers who can ascend its bare slopes in the summer in five hours, from the north, east and south. Its winter coat and the accompanying perils of steep, icy slopes, require hikers with experience on ice and snow and much greater levels of fitness, equipment and preparation. Enthusiastic amateurs can join annual "open-climbs" run by local hiking clubs, use one of the professional guides available or follow the signposts.

Things You'll Need

  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • All-weather clothing
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
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Instructions

  1. North Egmont

    • 1

      Drive up Egmont Road from Egmont Village to take the northern and most popular hiking route. Park in the large lot at the North Egmont Visitor Centre. Start the well-posted climb up The Puffer trail to the Tahurangi Lodge, a hike of about 1 1/2 hours. The Puffer is accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles and the private hiking club lodge has overnight accommodations.

    • 2

      Follow the signs that lead you to the slopes of volcanic rock and the board walk that protects the delicate flora. The route takes you to the "Lizard" outcrop, where the scoria, or volcanic rock, gives way to rock and leads into the crater. The slopes aren't steeper than about 45 degrees.

    • 3

      Cross the crater, which has year-round snow and ice, and climb the last 40 feet to the actual summit. The total climb will take about five hours one-way.

    East Egmont

    • 4

      Drive to the end of Pembroke Road from Stratford, through the native forest of Egmont National Park. Take the Mangonui Gorge Track that leads to Mount Taranaki's one ski area, Mangonui.

    • 5

      Cross the ski area and climb East Ridge, aiming for the prominent "Shark's Tooth" due west. This peak is 150 yards east of the main summit. The route provides rock-climbing opportunities for the more energetic.

    • 6

      Enter the crater, which is about the size of two football fields, and cross the permanent snow to the final summit climb. The climb will take just under five hours, one-way.

    South

    • 7

      Start from the parking lot at the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre and take the well-marked trail to the Hooker Shelter, where the tree line ends after about an hour's uphill walking.

    • 8

      Ascend Fantham's Peak which is a steep climb over volcanic rock that should take about two hours. Fantham's Peak is 1,500 feet below the summit. Syme Hut is welcome shelter if the wind is blowing. It is also high-altitude accommodation.

    • 9

      Descend slightly to Rangitoto Flats, the saddle between Fantham's Peak and the summit, before tackling the climb over loose volcanic rock to the southern crater entrance and to the summit 10 minutes beyond. The climb will take four to five hours from the parking lot.