Jack van Beynen

Jack van Beynen

Backpack the Pouakai Circuit

04/04/16

We hiked the circuit from North Egmont visitors centre through to Holly Hut, then to Pouakai Hut, and out the next day. It's a relatively easy hike with a well-marked and built-up track, although steep in places. The huts are modern and really nice, although both were totally full when we did it (which was Easter weekend in late March), so may be worth carrying a bed roll of you're going at a busy time of year. There's good camping near both huts if you'd rather bring a tent. My favourite thing about the Pouakai Circuit was how varied the landscape was. You travel through subalpine scrub with the spectacular Dieffenbach Cliffs hanging above you, through dense bush, across the open Ahukawakawa Swamp (this part is boardwalked), and across the open tops of the Pouakai Range. There are brilliant views of Mt Taranaki throughout, and you get a chance to see this awesome mountain from many different angles. The side trip to Bells Falls from Holly Hut is well worth doing. If you're only doing one trip in Egmont National Park, I think this would be a good choice. It provides an opportunity to take in the parks many varied landscapes without busting a gut.

5.0