Mangorei Track @ Toptracks.info

DoC recommended times and track type:

Where is it? When up the mountain, Mangorei track begins just above the Pouakai Hut at a junction with Pouakai track. At the other end, find Mangorei Road in New Plymouth, and head up this, past the Westown Golf Course for a further 10 kilometres to the end of the road where there is a turning and parking area. Please keep clear of residents’ driveways and leave room for trucks and school buses to turn. Begin walking up the gravel driveway, veering left when you see the concrete tank with the painted sunflowers to your right. Continue on into the bush, and begin your climb. There are many steps, some of which are tree roots. You will not be able to avoid all of the mud. Be prepared for it. The Pouakai Hut has a toilet and beds if you wish to stay. Another five minutes up the track is the spectacular view down into the Ahukawakawa Swamp and up to the top of the Mountain. Cameras are recommended. If you have time, it is now possible, because of the excellent completed track work, to quickly access Henry’s Peak. This is both a good turnaround point and picnic area on the viewing platform.
Features The views of the Mountain from behind Pouakai Hut, and the views over North Taranaki would be the main feature of this walk. Track Surface After pushing your way through gorse to the beginning of the track proper, there is short section of boardwalk and then the mud begins. Many sections of the mud however have detours around them, so keep an eye out for these. The boardwalks on the final section of the track are overgrown in places, but make the going much easier. When wet, they are slippery. Accessibility Plenty of time is needs to be allowed to go up and back in a day. The last part coming down can seem very long. It is not a difficult walk, if you know you can keep going for four and a half hours! If you can’t, try some of the loop walks, such as the Connett, at the North Egmont Visitor Centre. Dangers Drowning in the mud? Slipping when descending.

This information was gathered while on site in 2004. Last walked in 2009.

Where is it?

When up the mountain, Mangorei track begins just above the Pouakai Hut at a junction with Pouakai track. At the other end, find Mangorei Road in New Plymouth, and head up this, past the Westown Golf Course for a further 10 kilometres to the end of the road where there is a turning and parking area. Please keep clear of residents’ driveways and leave room for trucks and school buses to turn.

Begin walking up the gravel driveway, veering left when you see the concrete tank with the painted sunflowers to your right.

Continue on into the bush, and begin your climb. There are many steps, some of which are tree roots. You will not be able to avoid all of the mud. Be prepared for it. The Pouakai Hut has a toilet and beds if you wish to stay. Another five minutes up the track is the spectacular view down into the Ahukawakawa Swamp and up to the top of the Mountain. Cameras are recommended. If you have time, it is now possible, because of the excellent completed track work, to quickly access Henry’s Peak. This is both a good turnaround point and picnic area on the viewing platform.

Features

The views of the Mountain from behind Pouakai Hut, and the views over North Taranaki would be the main feature of this walk.

Track Surface

After pushing your way through gorse to the beginning of the track proper, there is short section of boardwalk and then the mud begins. Many sections of the mud however have detours around them, so keep an eye out for these. The boardwalks on the final section of the track are overgrown in places, but make the going much easier. When wet, they are slippery.

Accessibility

Plenty of time is needs to be allowed to go up and back in a day. The last part coming down can seem very long. It is not a difficult walk, if you know you can keep going for four and a half hours! If you can’t, try some of the loop walks, such as the Connett, at the North Egmont Visitor Centre.

Dangers

Drowning in the mud? Slipping when descending.


Mangorei Track
DoC recommended times and track type:
2 hours 30 minutes up, 2 hours down
tramping track
For New Plymouth people this is one of the most accessible and popular tracks in the National Park. Unfortunately the enjoyment of the time in the Park can be reduced by the state of this track, which is very muddy for all but the boardwalks. The boardwalks are extensive once you reach them and take you for the final 30 minutes from Graylings Clearing through to the Pouakai Hut.