Hiking the Pouakai Circuit

As I told you in my last post, I planned on doing some hiking around Mt. Taranaki.

With the help of the DOC website, I came across a two-day circuit, which seemed to offer very nice views. So I set out towards the North Egmont visitor center to leave my valuables and get a map.

The weather was lovely on the whole track and the summit of Mt Taranaki towered over the trail.

During the first hour I went up stairs after stairs after stairs, but after that, it continued on the side of the mountain, which was very comfortable hiking.

After a quick break at Holly Hut, I went on towards the Pouakai Hut, where I wanted to stay the night.

The track lead me through a swamp and up a pretty steep ridge line, which was unfortunately very muddy. But the view from the top was stunning and definitely made up for the condition of the trail.

Not long after that, I already arrived at the hut and took a short nap, since it was only noon. Considering the good weather, I made a short side trip to a tarn, where you could see the reflection of Mt. Taranaki.

I also returned to the small lake at sunset, as I hoped for pretty colors and an even smoother surface.

I was not disappointed!

The next day started with some clouds, which made for an interesting sight in conjunction with the rising sun.

After that, the trail went up onto Henry Peak, which offered one last view onto the nearly perfect cone, that is Mt. Taranaki.

For the next three hours, the track went through a thick forest and over some narrow swingbridges.

Following one last ascend, I was back at the visitor center, where I collected my bag and had a small lunch. At Pouakai Hut, I also met some other backpackers who told me about a Light Festival in New Plymouth, which started that day at 8 pm.

Since I had no plans for that evening, I went to the opening ceremony, which ended with a very nice fireworks show.

That’s a way to celebrate Christmas, I can get behind!

I decided then and there, that I would stay in New Plymouth over Christmas, as the Festival is going to continue until February.

So I booked a hostel and plan on returning for some concerts and of course some more pictures.

A blog post is of course following.

Until then,

Cheers!