These 6 Mt. Taranki waterfall hikes can be found all around the North Island’s perfectly shaped stratovolcano. Read about these waterfall hikes here.
I love Mt. Taranaki. On a clear day in winter the majestic snow capped peak can be seen from anywhere in the area, calling all mountain lovers to come explore its slopes. The upper alpine slopes are a delight to explore all year round, but many overlook the primeval forest that covers the lower slopes and ring plain. Tucked in little gullies, valleys, and hidden gorges are many waterfalls. Here are some of my favourite waterfall hikes, starting on the southern side and going clockwise.
6 Mt. Taranaki Waterfall Hikes
Dawson Falls
This 18 m high waterfall is located on the southern side of the mountain near the Dawson Falls visitor centre. The falls, also known as Te Rere a Noke, can be visited via a short 5 minute walk or a longer hour one (Kapuni loop). You can also combine this with the Wilkies Pools walk to make a lovely two hour stroll that takes in 3 waterfalls.
Wilkies Pools
These pools are a series of small waterfalls. Two of the taller ones are about 5 meters high and have a plunge pool at the bottom. One in particular is popular for brave people to slide off into the cold pool at the bottom. These can be accessed from the Dawson Falls carpark and are about a 30 minute walk one way along a good trail.
If you take the loop back towards the visitor centre you will find one more waterfall hidden in the bush.
Brames Falls
This Mt. Taranaki waterfall is one that you can’t get too close to, but have to admire from a distance. It is located on the western side of the mountain a bit up from the Waiua Gorge hut on the upper Brames Falls track. The falls are on the Waiaua River and can be seen from an overlook about 20 minutes up from the hut (albeit you have to cross a river and climb out of the river gorge first). You can see this waterfall on the Around the Mountain Track or as a day trip if you start from Ihaia Road.
Bells Falls
This Mt. Taranaki waterfall is a 30 minute walk from Holly Hut on the north/western side of the mountain. This falls has perhaps the most water all year round and is the headwaters of the Stony River. This waterfall can be a side trip from the Pouakai Crossing or a long day trip if you start at the end of Puniho Road.
Magakotukutuku Falls
This little known and visited waterfall is unlike the others in many ways. It is an easy two to three hour round trip walk up the Maude Track, crossing over farmland before entering the bush. The walk is through lowland forest with some very big trees (rimu and rata) dotting the landscape. The water doesn’t plunge off a cliff, but instead slowly falls down a steep precipice with many shelfs that breaks the falls up and spreads it out into a wide series of small drops. Be warned that this waterfall may dry up in summer.
Curtis Falls
This Mt. Taranaki waterfall is located on the eastern side of the mountain and is accessed off of Pembroke road at the Stratford Mountain House. The falls is a three hour walk round trip. The final bit to get to the falls is following a rocky stream bed as you see the falls in the distance. In winter there is plenty of water in the falls due to the snowmelt, but in summer it may dry out.