Ascent to Lake Pouakai Tarn

A small disadvantage compared to Pouakai Circuit is that the road is not round and you will have to go back 800m elevation gain again. On the other hand, it may be an advantage for someone to start just a 20-minute drive from New Plymouth. The hike itself starts from a small parking lot at the end of Mangorei Road and is almost steep almost from the very beginning. However, it leads through a beautiful forest and is very well maintained. In addition, with increasing height, you can see how the local vegetation changes, which is quite interesting in itself.

The guide states that the first goal, which is the Pouakai hut, is two and a half hours of practically continuous ascent, but we found it very exaggerated and we withdrew it by an hour. Towards the end, beautiful and distant panoramas of the vast surrounding plains and sea begin to unfold. In the Pouakai cottage there is even the possibility to spend the night (with your own sleeping bag and free) – I believe that in good weather, watching stars can be a beautiful experience at Mount Taranaki.

From the cottage we go a few tens of meters uphill, from where Mount Taranaki finally emerges in all its beauty. Its symmetry and shape are strikingly reminiscent of Japan's highest mountain – Fuji.

After a while, the path starts to descend slightly and after about 15 minutes we come to a small lake Pouakai Tarn. From here you can take the most beautiful photos, especially if the wind is not blowing and the surface is calm. Unfortunately, it was blowing quite hard, which is very common in this coastal area.