Taranaki Falls Walk, Mt Ruapehu

5.30 km • 2 Hours • Easy • The Taranaki Falls is pretty spectacular and makes for a great day out in National Park on this loop walk.

8 October 2023
Walked by: Sandra from Freewalks

Home » North Island » Manawatu Region » Tongariro National Park » Taranaki Falls Walk, Mt Ruapehu

Wow, Taranaki Falls will blow you away with it's beauty, it's my favourite walk in National Park.

It wasn’t the greatest day when we set out on this walk, at least it wasn’t raining! On a clear day you can see the National Park township and the main road to Taupo from the waterfall. Perfect for kids too, its an easy walk.

Quick Facts about this walk

Location: Mt Ruapehu, National Park
Distance: 5.30 km
Time needed: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Wheelchair Access: No
Route: Round Trip
Elevation: 1200m
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: There are no public toilets along the track – pity. The toilets are at the main Whakapapa Village car park and at the DOC Visitor Information Centre near Chateau Tongariro. Go before you leave!
Dogs: No
Mobile Coverage: No

Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Waterfalls, tussock, alpine shrub lands and beech forest, fantastic view of Mt Ruapehu.

Track Quality

Mostly really good, but parts go a bit bad then back to good again.

Hazards

Falling off a cliff, don't get close to the edge.

Transport

If you can drive to Whakapapa Village it would be the best idea.

If you’d rather do the Tongariro Crossing Walk as a guided walk, this is the best place to book it.

Water

Only at Whakapapa village.

Driving Instructions

Drive south through the National Park for about 200m. On the left is the Highway 47 to Taupo and Whakapapa Village. Drive on for 8.8 km to the turn off to Whakapapa Village. Turn right on to Highway 48, drive 6.1 km to reach the Village.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Only at the village, there are a few choices.

Area & Trail History

Mt Ruapehu erupted 15.000 years ago. So there is no shortage of exposed lava flows. In 1894 the Tongariro National park was formed. The park is made up of 78.618 hectares. Call into the Whakapapa Visitors centre it is open 7 days a week, for weather updates and to watch the audiovisual presentation.

Map Location and Track

Full description of our walk to Taranaki Falls

Start of the walk from the carpark

The views on the way driving into the beginning of the walk are stunning, especially if the mountains are snow-capped like the day we went. Stop and take a photo of the Chateau.

Drive past the Chateau and take the next turn to the left onto Ngauruhoe Place. Drive to the end of the road. A five minute drive all up.

There is an information board for you to read before you get under way.

This was the Waihohonu horse track many years ago

The walk starts with red tussock grass and small patches of manuka. Then you walk into alpine shrub.

The track is a comfortable uphill walk to the falls with four small gullies to cross. In a couple of places, it can be a bit sticky, but it’s pretty good after the last upgrade.

Views back to the Chateau

Just around the corner, you can look back and just see the grand Chateau, be careful they might be watching you.

On a clear day, you would be able to see out to the National Park township and the main road to Taupo. Unfortunately it wasn’t so clear on the day we went.

Another awesome bridge to cross

After 1 hour of pleasant walking you’ll cross another bridge, this is the Wairere Stream.

Take a short walk around the lava flow it’s quite interesting. Don’t fall over the edge. Walk up to the marker post on the other side of the bridge.

Down the steps to the bottom of the falls

From the marker post, turn left and hop down the mirrored of steeps to the falls. On the way down take a breather and sit down on the seat provided.

There are more tables and seats provided at the bottom, the only catch is, you might get wet from the spray off the falls.

If you have a plastic bag with you, rap the camera up nice and tight and walk under the falls and take a photo.

The walk back from the falls is awesome

This is probably the best section of the walk. The beech forest is full of shiny broadleaf, mountain five fingers, ferns and the mighty Toatoa.

Native birds are also in abundance. Cascade Falls is only 5 minutes downriver from the falls once across the bridge it is plain sailing.

Turnoff to Mangatepopo Hut

You will come across a turn off to the right; this track goes out to Mangatepopo Hut. An extremely rough track.

Just walk out onto the bridge for a view of the river. You are halfway now.

Back to the carpark

There are two gully’s to negotiate, then on to an open flat of red tussock grass, when you approach the Chateau, the car park is 30m over to the left, and you can cut through the buildings.