Last Updated: 3rd Apr 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Taranaki RTM with a Twist

New Plymouth, Taranaki

Submitted by Aaron Wilks

Last Updated: 3rd Apr 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Closed More info

The Stony River track is shut due to washouts - info can be found here.

Please notify us if this has changed.

Grunt Factor: 99 ?

Gnarl Factor: 53 ?

48.4km

3020m

3020m

1507m

  

  

  

Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.

Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Loop

Mountainous

Native bush

Riverside

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Volcanic

Run Makeup

7%
32%
26%
22%
14%

Gravel Road

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +12.9%

Average Downhill Gradient: -12.4%

Trailhead

Login as a VIP to see the trailhead information.

Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

11:00

Moderate

7:30

Fast

This is the classic Round The Mountain track with a bit of a detour to Kahui Hut that will give you 3,000m+ of climb over the full length. It can be done in a single push or you could fastback it, overnighting at Kahui Hut. NB log one of FKTs (Fastest Known Times) for this trail you'll need to do it in a single day.

Leg 1: North Egmont Visitor Centre to Kahui Hut (18.5k, 940m ascent)

Starting the run at the North Egmont visitors centre you take the Round The Mountain track/Holly Hut track which climbs and snakes it's way around the mountain's flanks. The first point to be careful is the Boomerang Slip - take your time and check your footings. A couple more ridges further on the views of Henrys Peak and Ahukawakawa swamp are on your right.

When you arrive at Holly Hut continue past the hut towards Bells Falls. You will reach an intersection for the Falls that is a up and back track so head up for a photo and drink bottle refill. When back from the Falls continue following the track which has changed to the Stony River track heading to the Puniho Track. This does get overgrown for a short period (follow the orange track markers) before popping out at the Stony River headwaters. The track follows the river for a while so a bit of stone/rock running and a few small river crossings (keeping a eye on the orange track markers), before turning back into the bush and up and down a few ridges until you get to Puniho Track.

At the track intersection right heads to the road (4km ish) while left heads to Kahui Hut. Take the left turn and continue up the track to Kahui Hut. The track is a moderate climb and winds around the mountain through native bush until arrival at the hut.

Leg 2: Kahui Hut to Dawson Falls (19.1k, 1420m ascent)

Starting off at the Kahui Hut you head south down the track winding through the bush until the track turns on to Oaonui Track heading towards Waiaua Gorge Hut.

This track is fairly easy going with a few small creek crossings. When nearing Waiaua Gorge Hut the track changes to Brames Falls Track. Continue on, climbing steadily and you will reach an intersection - continue straight ahead on the Brames Falls Track (ignore the right on to Taungatara Track which heads to Lake Dive Hut)

Continuing along Brames falls track you follow a ridge up straight towards the mountain, climbing steeper and steeper and eventually moving out of the bush up into tussock. Now the trail snakes around the mountain up and down the ridges and starts to drop altitude. The next intersection is with the trail from Lake Dive Hut. Follow the track towards Dawson falls - this is the upper track of the Lake Dive Circuit. A couple of km from the intersection is a lava chute/track you have to cross and looks pretty amazing - you should be able to see Tongariro in the distance on a nice day.

At the next intersection you head right down the Summit track and follow it downhill all the way to Dawson Falls.

Leg 3: Dawson Falls to North Egmont Visitor Centre (10.8k, 650m ascent)

Starting at Dawson Falls head up the track towards Wilkies Pools. After about 1.5km you cross a bridge which is at the pools (the pools are formed in the rocks of the creek, good for a dip in summer.) Continue following the same track - you are heading towards the Stratford Plateau carpark for the ski field. There is a couple of turn offs along the way but just keep heading straight.

You climb and snake around the mountain until you pop out at the carpark. Here, head left towards the mountain and follow the track to the ski field. This starts off as a gravel road and then turns into single track closer to the ski field. When eventually reaching the ski field the track heads towards the ski lift and from here on it's a steady climb all the way to the Tahurangi Lodge and the Translator - this is a single track following the ridges and valleys, climbing from bush up to tussock. Eventually the lodge and translator will come into sight, hang a right at the next intersection and it's all down hill past the lodge heading towards North Egmont visitors centre. The track is a gravel track that the 4WDs use to service the Translator. You drop about 450m in 2.5km before ending up at the Visitors Centre.

Bells Falls, Ahukawakawa swamp, Wilkies Pools, Ski field, Translator station, epic mountain views.

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Car parking at the visitors centre is normally good,can get packed out in summer,but a shuttle is being set up.

29 km

30 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Look out for orange trail markers.

Patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Gaiters

Leg 1: Check the DOC web site as in summer the huts can run low of water. Holly Hut has water tank, Bells Falls is drinkable, the creeks flowing into the stony river are not so good; Kahui Hut has water.
Leg 2: Streams are good when down low on the mountain, but nothing when you are high up
Leg 3: The only water that is available is at Wilkies Pools.

Caution in winter or after heavy rain.

Weather can change very quickly, GO PREPARED.
There's a lot of rocky and rooty terrain - take care and make sure you have grippy shoes.

You and Taranaki RTM with a Twist

As a VIP member you can record private notes for this trail, see all of your times and more.

Register Now

Already have an account? Login now

Trail Reviews

Great variety along the route: 4wd track for the translator road, well formed track from Dawsons falls to Holly Hut, unmaintained steep tree rooty tack from Kahui to Upper Lake Dive track. Brames track is probably the trickiest. Crossing the Stony River is a sharp diagonal. There is currently a 3km/ 45 min detour around a big slip by Waiau Gorge hut which adds on a bit of steep, muddy terrain.

June Hart

March 20, 2022

Bloody wild. I did it last Saturday for 14 hrs.

celine Zhan

February 5, 2022

Very tricky when wet, the west face gets very muddy and the track is overgrown. Also the top circuit can be rather windy and icy. All of which makes for a fantastic run.

Paul Childerhouse

June 18, 2020

Login to submit a review

Trail Running Community

Find people who are interested in or have completed this trail run.

You must register or login to view this feature.

Register Now

Overlapping Trails

These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.

Holly Hutt Track

Holly Hutt Track

Length: 16.0km

Level: Intermediate

Taranaki - Around and Over

Taranaki - Around and Over

Length: 25.0km

Level: Experienced

Other trails nearby
Fanthanaki double summit loop

Fanthanaki double summit loop

Length: 16.3km

Level: Intermediate

Meeting of the Waters

Meeting of the Waters

Length: 6.1km

Level: Beginner

Davies Track

Davies Track

Length: 9.0km

Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Pouakai Circuit

Pouakai Circuit

Length: 24.0km

Level: Intermediate

Find more trails and peaks nearby