Egmont National Park: the shining mountain
26 February 2025
Seen from above, the Egmont National Park on the western coast of the North Island forms almost a perfect circle, surrounding the beautiful Mount Taranaki.
North Egmont short walks
These short walks are in the Egmont National Park , at North Egmont Road end. These walks start from the Egmont National Park Visitor Centre unless otherwise stated.
Viewing platform
How long will it take? This is a 180m four-minute one-way walk.
A wheelchair-friendly boardwalk through bush to a viewing platform and the historic Camphouse. Stunning views of Taranaki, the coastline and inland to the central North Island mountains: Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe and Tongariro.
Ambury Monument Walk
How long will it take? This is a 380m 10-minute one-way walk.
Follow the boardwalk past the Camphouse. From here a track leads to Ambury Monument, a memorial to climber Arthur Ambury who gave his life on 3 June 1918 in a heroic attempt to save William Edwin Gourlay who slipped on ice. Both died when they fell over the bluff.
A grassy picnic spot has views of Mount Taranaki. Return the same way or follow the Nature Walk to exit just below the visitor centre.
Nature Walk
How long will it take? This is a 780m 25-minute return loop walk.
This family-friendly loop walk follows the boardwalk past the Camphouse. From here the track leads up to Ambury Monument where it turns left and descends to cross the Translator Road. It then re-enters the forest to head down to the visitor centre. The track has steps and is steep in some places with a few big drop-offs near the track edge – keep an eye on the kids.
Connett Loop Track
How long will it take? This is a 700m 40-minute loop walk.
This is a pleasant walk through forest laden with moss and lichens (goblin forest) with a small lookout point offering a view of the mountain.
The track is well maintained with a few steps. Be aware there is no safety barrier at the mountain lookout.
Goblin Forest in Egmont National Park © irina88w
Mangaoraka Loop Track
How long will it take? This is a 750m 30-minute loop walk.
This easy track loops through lowland forest. There may be some boggy sections on the track. Take care when crossing the road. Getting there: Begin at the Mangaoraka Picnic Area, 4.5km down Egmont Road from the visitor centre.
Ngātoro Loop Track
How long will it take? This is a 1.2km 45-minute to one-hour loop walk.
Follow the boardwalk past the Camphouse onto the Summit Track. The Ngātoro Loop Track is 400m along on the left. Descend into a valley through ‘goblin forest’ where ferns and moss hang from twisted tree trunks. Cross a small stream and climb steps to return to the visitor centre.
The track is steep in some places, has steps and an unbridged stream crossing which (although usually dry) can become impassable after heavy rain.
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