Hike to Taranaki Falls
The most beautiful waterfalls of Tongariro National Park
A short and easy walk from the village of Whakapapa hides one of the jewels of Tongariro National Park and one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in all of Zealand.
Tawhai Falls (Gollums Pool)
On the way to the village of Whakapapa, you can also make a short stop to Tawhai Falls, where the Lord of the Rings was filmed, hence the name (Gollums Pool).
Views of Mount Ngauruhoe
The trail itself starts directly from the parking lot at the end of Ngauruhoe Terrace. Because it is circular, you can choose any direction, we went clockwise, when we got to the waterfall down the road. During the first 1.5 km it is possible to enjoy views of the surrounding volcanoes Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe.
Cascade Falls
Then the trail leads through the forest again about 1.5 km to the smaller cascade Falls.
Taranaki Falls
From here, it is a short walk along the creek around the rocks to Taranaki Falls itself, where it is an ideal place for a picnic. The view of the 20m waterfall from below is truly breathtaking.
View of Mount Ruapehu
The second part of the path then leads upwards above the waterfall. You can get to the very edge of the rocks and look down the waterfall, but caution is needed. The trail leads over a bridge overlooking Mount Ruapehu and continues for about 2.5 km along a maintained road, where the edge of the lava flow can be seen in several places. You can walk back to the car park in a few minutes.
Articles nearby
Article: Trip to Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park, located almost in the middle of the North Island, is one of the most interesting areas in New Zealand.… continue reading
